7 News Belize

Steeno Appeals Verdict Or Trial Without Jury
posted (June 19, 2014)
In November of last year, 49 year-old Vincent Tillett Sr., aka "Steeno", was convicted of stabbing his ex-common-law wife's new boyfriend, 22 year-old Darwin Phillips. He was sentenced to 12 years for manslaughter after he stood trial without a jury, but today, he appealed that outcome in the Court of Appeal.

His attorney, Anthony Sylvestre, pressed the case on his behalf on the ground that Justice Adolph Lucas was presented with evidence from the Crown in which 2 witnesses who gave conflicting accounts. At the adjournment of hearing, Sylvestre explained the importance of this appeal and the effect it could have on future cases which are tried without a jury:

Anthony Sylvestre, attorney
"Mr. Tillett was tried before a judge alone and at his trial he was convicted based on two statements that were given by two witnesses. At the trial they didn't testify in accordance to that previous thing that they gave but, he is one of the first person to have been tried where statements of a previous inconsistent witness was admitted into evidence. As you may know this is one of the new laws that were passed since this government came to power. This dealt with the provision of an act which allows for a trial without jury. What we have sought to do in this appeal is to basically to have the court give some guidance. Of course try to have Mr. Tillett's appeal be allowed - his sentence quashed and his sentence and conviction quashed. We also are seeking to try to have some guidance be given to future references with respect to how a trial judge should treat statements of this nature because it's a new law, its a new legislation. Interesting you don't have a similar legislation in any Caribbean countries."

After hearing, the response from Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, the Court of Appeal Panel dismissed Tillett's appeal case, and upheld his conviction and sentence.

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