The two men accused of beheading Dianne Williams and her 10-year-old son are disappointed that the State has decided to proceed with the matter via paper committal. This position was put forward by defence attorney Jason Jackson when the matter came up before Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington in the San Fernando First Court yesterday.
Anton Goodridge, 31, of Navet Road, San Fernando, and Shazad Rajack, 22, of Bertrand Street, San Fernando, are charged with murdering Williams and her son, Shaquille Morgan, between July 17 and June 21. Their headless and mutilated bodies were found in garbage bags at Forres Park dump, Claxton Bay.
Yesterday, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Joan Honore-Paul raised two issues with Wellington-the paper committal and Jackson's withdrawal from the matter because of a conflict of interest.
Honore-Paul told Wellington the prosecution needed a month to get sworn statements from its 26 witnesses and have the documents filed.
However, Jackson who is representing Razack, objected, saying: "I was only informed this morning and I spoke to them and they are disappointed." He said his understanding of the law was that the prosecution could not go ahead with paper committal if the defence objected. However, Honore-Paul submitted that the defence could not object to the procedure but could object to the statements being tendered.
Jackson, however, said he wanted an opportunity to discuss the matter with the accused.The magistrate also advised him if he wished to cross examine another of the witnesses, based on their statements, he could do so.Regarding the other issue, Honore-Paul said while the matter was being investigated Jackson had represented one of the State's witnesses.
Saying it was not for her to request that he withdrew, she said: "I will refer it elsewhere." Honore-Paul said she had certain authorities on how the matter was viewed at a disciplinary level and maybe that "will convince him."Jackson, who took issue with Honore-Paul raising the matter at the bar table, said he already had sought legal advise on the issue.Wellington adjourned the matter to December 7.