Late documents delay trial of LG Brown murder suspects
May 16, 2007
THE trial of the three people charged with the murder of businessman George L G Brown, and his fiancée Sandra Campbell in Stony Hill, St Andrew in 2005 was postponed in the Home Circuit Court on Monday after defence lawyers complained of late submission of witness statements.
The attorneys told Justice Carol Beswick that the Crown had only served them with the over 100-page documents on Thursday and Friday and that there was not sufficient time for them to "read, digest, analyse" and receive instructions from their clients.
"I don't think that it's fair to give the lawyers the document on Friday. .If you wanted the trial to start this morning you would have served the documents earlier than Friday," Beswick scolded the prosecution.
The trial was rescheduled for June 25.
Charged with the June 5, 2005 double murder are Brown's helper Sandra Watt, Donald Whyte and Peter Dugal.
Brown, the former head of the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association and owner of the Esso Tiger Market at the corner of Constant Spring Road and Dunrobin Avenue in Kingston, and Campbell were shot at Campbell's home on Stilwell Road in Stony Hill, St Andrew. His licensed firearm was also stolen.
Dugal was arrested after he was shot and injured during an alleged shoot-out with the police in Grants Pen, St Andrew. Brown's 9mm pistol was allegedly found in his possession. His arrest led to that of Watt. Whyte was nabbed last year at 6 Love Lane, downtown Kingston.
Author: Observer Reporter
Source: Jamaica Observer
