By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
YESTERDAY’S expected continuation of testimony in a trial for armed robbery and murder of a Bertha’s Go-Go Ribs employee did not occur.
Justice Vera Watkins was informed that the lawyer of one of three men on trial in connection with the September 8, 2009, murder of 44-year-old Nelson Goodman was before the Court of Appeal, whose matters took precedence over other courts.
Attorney Lessiah Rolle was not expected to be finished in the appellate court until Wednesday, which prompted Justice Watkins to excuse the 12-member jury from court until Thursday morning when the trial is now scheduled to resume with the evidence of prison physician Dr Heastings Johnson.
The accused David Rolle, Wayde Rolle Jr, and Leonardo Wright deny the charge of murder under Section 291 (1A) of the Penal Code, Chapter 84.
A charge under this section attracts the discretionary death penalty that a Supreme Court judge can hand down if a jury returns a guilty verdict. Life imprisonment is the alternative punishment.
In Monday’s proceedings, the jury heard from police detective Inspector Derell Cox who denied defence counsel’s suggestions that Rolle Jr had been beaten into signing a confession statement and record of the interview, implicating him in Goodman’s death.
Lessiah Rolle represents Rolle Jr, while Wright and Rolle are defended by James Thompson and Anthony Forbes.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.