L-R: Rodney Simmonds Jr., Allen Baptiste and Yan Edwards, October 15, 2012
Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News
L-R: Rodney Simmonds Jr., Allen Baptiste and Yan Edwards, October 15, 2012
Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News
The trial involving the murder of Keri Harrigan and the attempted murder of Melbourne Francis has hit a snag, forcing High Court Judge, Justice Albert Redhead to discharge the jury which was empanelled to sit on the trial which was scheduled to start yesterday, October, 15.
The trial is now expected to start tomorrow, October 17 when a new nine member jury will be selected.
Yan Edwards and Allen Baptiste are charged in connection with the murder of Harrigan, while Rodney Simmonds Jr. and Edwards are charged with conspiracy to murder involving the shooting of Francis.
At yesterday's sitting, a jury was selected to sit on the trial, following which there were applications made by Baptiste's lawyer, Patrick Thompson and Simmonds Jr.'s lawyer, Corrine George. Those applications were heard in the absence of the jurors.
Justice Redhead ruled later in the afternoon, which paved the way for the trial to commence. However, another issue was raised and when the jurors returned, Justice Redhead stated that "something has come up"; hence, for that reason he would have to discharge them.
This means that tomorrow, all the jurors sitting on this criminal assizes will have to return to court for another jury to be empanelled.
Prosecution did not give an opening address, neither were any evidence taken at yesterday's hearing.
Attorney-at-law Stephen Daniels is representing Edwards in the trial.
Keri Harrigan was gunned down on March 16, 2011 in the area of the Long Look Clinic, while a few days before on March 13, 2011, Francis was shot while driving in his vehicle at Nottingham Estate.
