By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A JUDGE yesterday granted the Crown’s request for key witnesses in a double murder retrial to give evidence by video link.
Justice Stephen Isaacs agreed to prosecutor Darell Taylor’s application in a status hearing for 36-year-old Basil Gordon who maintains his innocence for the June 16, 2002 murders of Rosynell Newbold and her grandson, Kevin Wilson, during a break-in at their home.
In cases where a witness resides outside of the Bahamas, admissibility of live television testimony is provided for under the Evidence Act.
Gordon, also known as Kerri Nash Grant, is to reappear in the Supreme Court on December 1 where he will receive a date for retrial.
He was initially convicted and sentenced to death for the home invasion murders, however, the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction and ordered a retrial on December 12, 2005.
Prosecutors did not schedule a new trial date until June 2011.
Gordon argued a constitutional motion before then Senior Justice Jon Isaacs asking the court to stay the proceedings against him as he had been in custody since 2002 and had suffered inhumane treatment throughout his time in prison.
The constitutional motion was rejected by the judge.
Gordon is defended by Romona Farquharson-Seymour.
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