No delay expected in murder trial as accused searches for new lawyer

Dennis Alma Robinson, one of two men accused of murdering the Cooper twins, needs a new lawyer just eight weeks before his high-profile murder trial is expected to begin.

Robinson, 34, of Palm Valley, Southampton, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Jahmal and Jahmil Cooper in Devonshire on March 13.

Kenneth Jermaine Burgess, 33, of Cottage Hill Road, Hamilton Parish, has also denied murdering the twins on the same date.

Crown counsel Paula Tyndale said a pre-trial hearing in Supreme Court on Thursday attended to housekeeping matters and to see whether both the prosecution and the defence were ready to proceed to trial.

She said the prosecution was ready to proceed on January 4, 2006 and despite Robinson needing new counsel the trial was still expected to begin.

Defence lawyer Victoria Pearman formerly appeared on the record for Robinson.

Burgess is represented by UK defence lawyer Courtney Griffiths QC.

A month-long search ended on April 14, 2005 when the bodies of the Cooper twins were recovered from Abbot's Cliff in Hamilton Parish.

Man ‘homeless and hungry' stole meat

A man who pleaded guilty to stealing meat from the Market Place store in Hamilton also pleaded for leniency from Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner.

Richard Dill, 36, admitted shoplifting an $8.50 top sirloin steak and $5.10 worth of extra lean ground sirloin on October 8.

Crown counsel Graveney Bannister told Magistrates' Court on Thursday that the the defendant put the items under his shirt and walked out past the cashier. He was caught by the manager as he exited the shop, and the Police were called.

Dill had been sentenced to nine months imprisonment for stealing earlier this year. He told the court: “I had just come out of jail. I tried hard, but I was homeless and hungry and I didn't have a job. I was not thinking rationally at the time.

“Things have turned around for me and I now live in the Salvation Army shelter and have just just got a painting job.”

Mr. Warner fined him $200.

Bail set for man accused of serious sex assault

A 31-year-old Sandys man has appeared in court charged with carrying out a serious sexual assault on a 25-year-old woman.

The offence is said to have taken place on Monday in Sandys.

The defendant did not enter a plea, and Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner adjourned the case until November 24, when it will be listed for mention at Magistrates' Court.

Mr. Warner granted conditional bail subject to a $5,000 surety, and the condition that the defendant does not contact the complainant in the case.