A room filled with jurors, lawyers and reporters stood as Justice Albert Redhead entered the High Court room Tuesday at the start of the October Assizes, a term that is expected to hear 13 cases including two murder trials.
The trial of Rodney Simmonds Jr., Allen Baptiste and Yan Edwards, who are charged in relation to the killing of Keri Harrigan, is scheduled to begin on Oct. 15. Mr. Harrigan was gunned down in the Stricket area of Long Look on March 16, 2011. Previously, police and prosecutors have alleged that the shooting was likely related the robbery of MoneyGram that occurred in January 2011.
Previously, all three men were charged with murder, but a new indictment was introduced Tuesday: Messrs. Baptiste and Edwards now face the murder charge, while Mr. Simmonds faces a charge of conspiracy to murder along with Mr. Edwards. The three men pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Also scheduled for trial in this Assizes are the following: Alcedo Tyson, who is charged with murder; Ian Thomas, charged with rape and kidnapping with intent; Chane Smith, rape; Julian Christopher, rape and indecent assault; Roro Edourne and Renold Plaisimond who face charges of unsafe conveyance, smuggling of immigrants and manslaughter; Leonie Thompson, wounding; and Danny Benjamin, charged with wounding, among others.
See the Oct. 11, 2012 edition for full coverage.