By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
THE expected start of a trial into the disappearance and murders of a Department of Immigration officer and his girlfriend in Andros has been delayed by six days.
Four men – Cordero Saunders, 26, James Johnson, 22, Daniel Coakley, 28, and Zintworn Duncombe, 28 – appeared before Justice Indra Charles for trial facing two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit armed robbery and attempted armed robbery.
The alleged victims of the crimes are Shane Gardiner and Tishka Braynen.
The four men, who are accused of committing the crimes between November 24, 2013 and December 21, 2013, deny the allegations.
Though jury empanelling began, the process was not completed due to an exhausted pool.
The case has been adjourned to Tuesday, February 15.
Braynen, of Cargill Creek, and Gardiner who lived in Love Hill, both in Central Andros, were reported missing around 1.45pm on November 24, 2013.
Gardiner, an immigration officer, had recently been assigned to the island by his department in Nassau.
On December 21, 2013, police in Andros discovered the human remains of an adult man along with “items related to a female.”
However, due to the state of decomposition at the time, police were unable to make an immediate identification of the remains.
Saunders, Johnson, Coakley and Duncombe are respectively defended by attorneys Moses Bain, Donna Major, Terrel Butler and Ian Cargill.
Darnell Dorsett is prosecuting the case, which is estimated to last three to six weeks.
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