The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A CONVICT will be appointed a public attorney as he challenges his conviction and life sentence for the murder of his former girlfriend, whose body was found inside a grave in the Bahamas Veteran’s Cemetery. 
Angelo Poitier, 27, of Chippingham, appeared in the Court of Appeal yesterday to state his attention to appeal.

However, Poitier indicated to Justices Anita Allen, Christopher Blackman and Abdulai Conteh that he could not afford an attorney.

Justice Allen said he would be appointed an attorney at the public’s expense and that he would return to court Januray 22, 2013 for a status hearing.

Poitier was convicted in October 2010 of the May 27, 2009, killing of his 19-year-old girlfriend Sheniece Adderley.
According to Poitier’s confession, which was admitted into evidence, he choked his girlfriend to death after an argument, during which he accused her of playing with his heart, mind and emotions.
He said he released his hold on her neck around 30 minutes later and became fearful when he felt no pulse.

Poitier’s statement said he her body to the Infant View Road cemetery and buried it with the help of a friend.
Justice Vera Watkins sentenced Poitier to life imprisonment a week after the London-based Privy Council defined which murder cases deserve the death penalty.

Prior to this ruling, all those convicted of murder in the Bahamas were subject to capital punishment.
Justice’s Watkins considered the council’s overturning of Maxo Tido’s death sentence when considering the appropriate sentence for Poitier. 
In yesterday’s proceedings, Poitier stated that he intends to appeal both his life sentence and conviction.