Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Possible life sentence for St. Kitts man who battered girlfriend

After offering a guilty plea to a charge of “attempting to choke” charge, St. Kitts native Keith Godwin faces a possible life sentence to Her Majesty Prison on October 7 when he returns to the High Court for sentencing.

Goodwin was initially charged with the attempted murder of his former girlfriend in her Virgin Gorda home on June 19, but prior to the indictable matter being committed to the High Court, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) changed the charge but the penalty remains the same – a maximum of life in prison.

The 45-year-old man, who is a plumber and electrician, is accused of beating the woman about her body with his hands for some three hours and hitting her above the knee with a baseball bat, while shouting repeated threats to kill her.

The ordeal lasted from around 8pm to after 11pm on Sunday, June 19, 2011.

According to the prosecution, during Godwin’s initial court appearance before Senior Magistrate Valerie Stephens, the act was deliberate and all indications suggested that Goodwin attempted to kill his victim. Magistrate Stevens at the time labeled the allegations as “grave and extremely compelling.”

Goodwin who is represented by attorney Ruthilia Maximea, of Maximea and Co. Law Chambers, is also charged with assault, unlawful assault, attempting to choke and destroying property.

It is also understood that on the day in question the virtual complainant (VC) and the defendant got into an argument that stemmed from accusations of her cheating on him. At the time he was living in Virgin Gorda in the VC’s home, where he held her prisoner during the ordeal.

No comments:

Post a Comment