Update: Judge Rules Murder & Conspiracy To Murder Charges Be Split; Simmonds Jr. To Seek Bail
BVI Platinum News
Updated: February 20, 2013 8:17 am AST
Published: February 05, 2013 1:54 pm AST
Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News
Justice Albert Redhead has ruled in favour of the defence for the indictments in the murder of Keri Harrigan and the conspiracy to murder Melbourne Francis to be severed. The ruling came this afternoon, February 19 following an application by Attorney-at-law Patrick Thompson, on behalf of his client Allen Baptiste.

Rodney Simmonds Jr. and Yan Edwards are charged with conspiracy to murder Francis on March 13, 2011 at Nottingham Estate, while Edwards and Baptiste are charged with the murder of Harrigan, known as Hank, in the area of the Long Look Clinic on March 16, 2011.

After the selection of a nine member jury, lawyer Thompson made his application and the prosecution responded; however, Justice Redhead ruled that the murder and conspiracy charges are to be severed. This means that the prosecution can no longer have the men tried for both charges during this trial.

Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham indicated that the crown will proceed with the murder trial first, which means that when the trial commences tomorrow, only Edwards and Baptiste will be in the prisoners' dock.

This prompted Simmonds Jr.'s lawyer, Dr. JS Archibald, QC to state that he will be making an application for bail for his client when the time comes. This, he said, is based on how long the crown will take to have the conspiracy to murder trial heard.

Lawyer Stephen Daniels, who is representing Edwards, said he will be unable to have the trials back to back since his client is charged with both counts. He said the case is a legal aid one and pointed to economics, noting that he is basically the only lawyer at his office. He suggested a date later in March or probably have the conspiracy to murder trial traversed.

During the last criminal assizes, the Judge was forced to dismiss the jurors twice in three days, very early into the trial due to a jury issue.
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Copyright 2011 by Virgin Islands Platinum News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
  • Readers' Opinion
Conspiracy | Report Abuse
the prosecution is going to Mess up this case., we all know ain't Rodney the cops want so why waste time on him
February 19 at 5:53pm using an iPhone  |  Like ▪ 3 People like this.   Dislike ▪ 2 People dislike this.
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Charlie | Report Abuse
This was to be done a long time ago. The DPP is who does be wasting the courts time. Hmmmmmmmmmm and just from looking at the charge and the little bit of facts already reported in the media I foresee a not guilty verdict.
February 19 at 5:12pm  |  Like ▪ 4 People like this.   Dislike
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Up rodman!!!
February 19 at 4:21pm  |  Like ▪ 9 People like this.   Dislike ▪ 6 People dislike this.
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mr opposite | Report Abuse
these guys are real hero's (disclaimer please read my name for posting a hateful response)
February 06 at 7:04pm  |  Like ▪ 9 People like this.   Dislike
Reply
As for simeon pope, just lock him up and throw way the key!
February 05 at 11:02pm  |  Like ▪ 7 People like this.   Dislike ▪ 1 Person dislike this.
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Guest | Report Abuse
Keep your head up rod, everything gon be alright biggz
February 05 at 3:45pm  |  Like ▪ 7 People like this.   Dislike ▪ 24 People dislike this.
Reply
This case is going to be very interesting.
February 05 at 3:25pm  |  Like ▪ 9 People like this.   Dislike ▪ 1 Person dislike this.
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On looker | Report Abuse
Tesa di woman unda pressure (kartel voice)
February 05 at 6:08pm  |  Like ▪ 2 People like this.   Dislike
Just saying.... | Report Abuse
Sigh. I'm always saddened to see yet again healthy looking young black men sporting handcuffs. Their lives could have been filled with so much more positive possibilities; instead here they are on the wrong side of the law. I hope I have raised my children differently because if I have failed,... more
February 05 at 2:18pm  |  Like ▪ 44 People like this.   Dislike ▪ 3 People dislike this.
Reply
human services | Report Abuse
The bible states raise a child the way he should go, and he is old he wnt depart, all that is true, peer pressure play a big role inour children lives today.... After, a child reach a certain age aint nottin u as a mother could do, beside gve him/her advice and word of encouragement.. Like the... more
February 20 at 12:50pm  |  Like ▪ 3 People like this.   Dislike
Just saying... | Report Abuse
@Human Services. You are so right. I always say to my friends, that a parent only has a very tiny window in which to raise a good law abiding child. Once they start to interact with the larger world, your influence begins to deminish. Unless that child has a very strong moral compas of thier own,... more
February 20 at 4:11pm  |  Like ▪ 2 People like this.   Dislike
vince | Report Abuse
simmonds will walk free.
February 05 at 1:55pm  |  Like ▪ 15 People like this.   Dislike ▪ 21 People dislike this.
Reply
not he!!!!! not this time
February 05 at 2:06pm  |  Like ▪ 13 People like this.   Dislike ▪ 12 People dislike this.
estate | Report Abuse
they have no case on simmonds....
February 05 at 2:29pm  |  Like ▪ 8 People like this.   Dislike ▪ 19 People dislike this.
Blak Cesaer | Report Abuse
Well the got him on Conspiracy...if you been through the system you would know you don't need physical evidence like what was lacking when he got off on the robbery charge. With CONSPIRACY SON? All they have to prove is he helped PLOT and that would only take one of the other 2 defendants to turn... more
February 05 at 3:11pm  |  Like ▪ 21 People like this.   Dislike ▪ 3 People dislike this.
Please note that the comments posted are the views and opinion of the commentor and do not in any way represent the views or opinions of the management and staff of Virgin Islands Platinum News and its parent company Platinum Investors Limited.
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