LIME Ad

4508-sdl1

The trial for murder accused Smelin Pascual Arturo, also known as Pucho Pervalta Daren, began yesterday in the High Court.

A nine-member jury, comprising seven women and two men, was selected.

In addressing the jury, Crown Counsel Adlai Smith, who is prosecuting the case along with his colleague Joanne Walsh, is alleging the accused, along with other persons unknown, murdered Joherty Ramon Matos on March 4, 2007 on Bishopgate Street.

Smith outlined to the jurors that Arturo was either the principle offender, or a participant in a joint unlawful enterprise resulting in Matos? death.

Since there were no eyewitnesses to the incident, Smith said the prosecution would be relying solely on circumstantial evidence, mostly from one main witness.

Arturo, who is from Santo Domingo and whose trial is being conducted in two languages — English and Spanish — pleaded not guilty to the indictment when it was read to him yesterday.

Initially, Arturo was the lone accused, however yesterday the prosecution altered the indictment to include ?persons unknown.?

The prosecution reminded the jury panel not to consider any information they might have heard from persons on the streets, radio, television or would have read in the newspapers.

?You are the judges of the facts and the judge is the supreme judge of the law and if there is any conflict of the principles in the case, then you must follow the judge?s guide,? Smith urged the panel.

One witness, Bolivia Mendez, was called to take the stand, however, the court has not yet heard her evidence.

The trial was adjourned until 9 am today, to continue before Justice Errol Thomas.

John Fuller, Kendrickson Kentish and George Lake are the advocates for the accused.

This is the third case being tried since the May Criminal Assizes began two weeks ago.

Article Hits: 49

No Comments

Post comments

Notice to all readers and bloggers: antiguaobserver.com encourages comments on this site. While we are avowed advocates of freedom of expression we are, however, adamant that this right comes with responsibilities. Posts that include profanity and/or links to other websites are automatically blocked. Additionally, comments that libel and/or defame, incite violence and/or advocate lawlessness and those that advertise goods or services will be deleted.