Separate trials held in three Grand Courts

Beach Bay murder retrial now in sixth week

Of the five Grand Court judges sitting this week, three are presiding over trial matters.

Two new cases began on Monday, 27 June. Justice Karl Harrison, sitting without a jury, began hearing evidence in the trial of three men accused of murdering Alrick Peddie in March 2010. See separate story.

Justice Alexander Henderson is presiding over the trial of Veramae Patricia Watson. She is charged with causing the death of Edwin Edwards in 2007 by dangerous driving or, as an alternate charge, by reckless driving.

In opening the case to the jury of five women and two men, Crown Counsel Kenneth Ferguson said that on 21 September 2007, Ms Watson was driving a Jeep pulling a homemade trailer with rocks in it. In the Breakers area, the trailer became detached, took a diagonal course across the path of incoming traffic and hit a bus driven by Mr. Edwards, causing the bus to swerve and hit a tree.

Mr. Edwards received multiple lower limb and pelvic fractures and was transferred to hospital in Kingston. Eight days after the transfer he succumbed to his injuries.

Mr. Ferguson also told the jury the Jeep and trailer were examined. The tow hitch ball on the Jeep was incompatible with the donut ring that was attached to the trailer and there should have been safety chains used to secure the trailer to the Jeep, he said.

After several statements were read into evidence the trial was adjourned until Tuesday, when the jury was expected to hear the Crown’s first witness in person.

The trial of Josue Carillo-Perez, which began on 23 May, continued before Justice Algernon Smith. Mr. Perez gave evidence last week and denied killing Martin Gareau in May 2008. Mr. Gareau’s body was found in the garage of his home in Beach Bay on the Tuesday after the Discovery Day holiday weekend.

Mr. Perez said he did not go to Mr. Gareau’s home that weekend. His evidence was that he had been there only once – several weeks before when Mr. Gareau invited him, his girlfriend and another girl Mr. Gareau was attracted to.

The defendant gave an account of his activities the holiday weekend, detailing the period from Sunday afternoon when he went to a hotel with his girlfriend until they checked out on the Tuesday morning.

Defence Attorneys Anthony Donne and Anthony Akiwumi have asked to recall two Crown witnesses, both police officers. Their defence witnesses include a fingerprint expert, who was expected to arrive on Island in time for court on Friday.