Conflicting psychiatric reports stall murder trial
October 31, 2006
A trial date could not be set yesterday in the case of 31-year-old security guard Jeffrey Perry who is charged with the murder of three children at Killancholly, St. Mary because of conflicting psychiatric reports.
A psychiatric report was ordered for Perry this year, but after the Crown obtained a psychiatric report in March, the defence submitted one which contradicted the one submitted by the Crown. The Crown then applied for another psychiatric evaluation to be done.
Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Lisa Palmer, told the court yesterday that the Crown obtained a second psychiatric report last week Friday and that also conflicted with the one presented by the defence.
Remanded
The psychiatric reports submitted by the Crown state that Perry is fit to plead, while that for the defence state the opposite. Mr. Justice Lloyd Hibbert said based on the conflict, the issue will have to be tried in the Home Circuit Court.
Perry was remanded to return to court on November 9.
The Crown is alleging that Perry, who is a cousin of the children, fatally stabbed them on January 28, 2005.
The deceased are 15-year-old Dwane Davidson, 13-year-old Sue Ann Gordon and four-year-old Shadice Williams.
Defence lawyers Linton Gordon and Carlene McFarlane are representing Perry.
Author: Gleaner Reporter
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
