Escapee in court on murder charge

Recaptured prisoner Halim Ballack appeared before a Point Fortin magistrate October 17 on charges ranging from murder to kidnapping and robbery with violence. Ballack, 29, of Palo Seco, appeared before Magistrate Indrani Cedeno one week after his escape from cells at the Point Fortin Police Station.

He and fellow prisoner Malcolm Fraser escaped on October 13. After seven days of searches by South Western Division police officers, he was recaptured on Sunday October 16 in a house at Beach Road, Palo Seco, a few meters way from his home. He is scheduled to reappear in court on October 31.

The charges against him are that on October 13 at the Point Fortin Police Station he escaped lawful custody; on September 25 at Reservoir Hill, Point Fortin, he murdered Wayne Carrington; and on September 25, at Hercules Drive, Egypt Village, Point Fortin, he robbed Elizabeth Sunny of a gold chain and pendant, valued at $1,400. Ballack is also accused of taking John Jackson against his will, obbing him of his cellphone, valued at $198, $28 in cash and used personal violence against him. Decked in a burgundy T-shirt and grey denim pants, Ballack gazed nonchalantly around the courtroom as the charges were read to him.

He stood silently for most of the proceedings but when he was leaving uttered a few words to a lone relative in the courtroom.

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.

Jail for All

Several people charged over the weekend of September 16-18, were taken to prison on Monday September 19, unable to secure bail because no  magistrate showed up for work in San Fernando.

The magistrates instead attended a wellness seminar hosted by judiciary officials, who described the absence as “normal” and apologised for the inconvenience.

In their absence, Clerk of the Peace Alfred Ali presided over court matters for the five courts. He informed at least 30 defendants of the charges they faced and adjourned the matters. Since Ali does not have the magisterial powers, people making their first court appearances were unable to enter pleas.

Several matters, including seven men charged with breaching the 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew between Friday to Sunday, are adjourned to on Wednesday September 21.

Those in custody since their arrest could not be granted bail and remained behind bars.

When the charge of marijuana possession was read to one man, he said, “I guilty, I guilty’’, only to be told that he would be sent to prison until Wednesday.

Outside the courthouse family members of several prisoners complained that the matters of their relatives were put off to another date.

“My husband in custody since last  week. He come down today and it have no magistrate. That not fair, that not right,” one woman said.

Apart from the alleged curfew breakers, Akiela Joseph, who was denied bail at her last court appearance, was remanded in prison custody until October 17.

Joseph was charged by Constable Elliot with unlawful and malicious wounding after she allegedly hit Mark Seaton on the head with a bottle.

The alleged incident occurred around 9 p.m. on August 19 at a bar on Coffee Street, San Fernando.

Commenting on the situation at the court, Court Protocol and Information Manager Jones P Madeira said, “This is quite normal. Whenever magistrates are away, the Clerk of the Peace assumes the responsibility to deal with bailable offences which is what happened this (yesterday) morning.”

Madeira said the two-day session had been arranged “sometime ago and mechanism were put in place. Magistrates’ training is important. If anything fell through the cracks and there were any inconveniences to anyone, the judiciary apologises sincerely.”

A comment made about this incident by a citizen: “I think this is very irresponsible of the judiciary. With the current state of emergency, their courts are already full and backing up, yet they take tax payers time to go on a seminar! Could this not have been done on the weekend or at another more convenient time? What convenient for them not the hundreds who have to suffer while they socialize!”