by Donella Hosten
On Friday, 19 May 2017, approximately 2 years after Albert Alexis was slapped with a non-capital murder charge, a guilty verdict was handed down by a 12-member jury at the #2 High Court.
31-year-old Alston Henry, of DeBlandeau in St Andrew, lost his life after an altercation between him and Alexis took a violent turn. Henry’s lifeless body with multiple stab wounds was found on Sunday, 3 May 2015. Investigations revealed that he died as a result of hypovolemic shock. Alexis, at the time of the incident, was 59 years old.
It is believed that the altercation between the 2 men, who are 2nd cousins, occurred over a plot of land.
The matter, which commenced at the High Court on 2 May 2017, was presided over by Justice Paula Gilford. Leading the prosecution team was Senior Crown Counsel in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Howard Pinnock, assisted by Attorney-at-Law Brendon La Touche.
It took the 12-member jury just about 2 hours to unanimously decide on a ‘guilty’ verdict.
There were no eyewitnesses to the crime, and the case was based solely on circumstantial evidence and the medical report from the pathologist. In situations like this, according to Pinnock, they will be giving assistance to the court in terms of providing guidelines for sentencing which will take place on 20 July 2017.
Alexis, now 61, was represented by Attorney-at-Law Anslem Clouden, who took a multifaceted approach in his defence technique. He said they would be taking steps after due consideration of the case, get a transcript and then consider other options. However, “for the time being, we are now going to phase 2 which is sentencing, and are not going to antagonise anyone.” Clouden said they would see how sentencing goes first.
The immediate family of the deceased indicated on numerous occasions that although it is a lot to take in, they have forgiven Alexis.
