The two men accused of killing Estella Scott Roberts last month had lawyers appointed for them after Solicitor General Cheryll Richards told the court on Thursday that they had applied for legal aid.
Larry Prinston Ricketts, 25, and Kirkland Henry, 27, completed forms attesting to the fact they could not afford to pay an attorney, Ms. Richards said. If that is the situation, they are entitled to legal representation under the law – murder being a charge for which legal aid may be granted.
Magistrate Grace Donalds appointed Attorneys John Furniss and Lloyd Samson.
Mr. Furniss spoke for both when he replied, ‘As part of one’s duties as an officer of the court, one would accept the appointment and do one’s duty accordingly.’
He said he would be acting for Ricketts, while Mr. Samson would be for Henry.
Ms Richards then proposed a schedule for moving the matter forward, with the next mention on 19 November. She said the Crown would soon provide preliminary disclosure to the attorneys, including the defendants’ interviews.
She said the papers required for a preliminary inquiry into the charges would be sent to Mr. Furniss and Mr. Samson by 4 December.
The PI would be held 17-18 December.
If it goes ahead and the magistrate finds there is sufficient evidence to put the men on trial, they would then appear in Grand Court at the opening of the next session, which is Wednesday, 7 January.
In addition to murder, both men are charged with robbery and abduction of Mrs. Scott-Roberts. Henry is further charged with rape.
Mrs. Scott-Roberts, 33, was last seen on Friday night, 10 October, when she left a West Bay Road restaurant where friends had gathered to celebrate her birthday.
Her burnt vehicle was found on a dyke road in West Bay the next day. A few days later, police said there was little doubt that the body inside the vehicle was that of Mrs. Scott-Roberts.
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