Man to stand trial for murder of baby

A 32-year-old security guard was yesterday committed to stand trial at the next sitting of the Assizes for the murder of his one-month-old baby girl. Sean Boyke stood dazed yesterday as Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls read the details of the committal to him. Boyke, who was not represented at yesterday’s proceedings, is charged with the murder of Kimberly Boyke, who was killed on December 4 last year. According to reports, the baby’s mother, 17-year-old Genelle de Roche, left the baby in the care of a male relative. On her return home, de Roche, when attempting to breastfeed the baby, found that the child was not responding.

She also saw blood oozing from wounds on the baby’s back and neck, and there were also burn marks on the child’s mouth and head. Representing the State in the matter, which was heard before Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls, was Aden Stroude. Stroude called several witnesses to give evidence, including de Roche and pathologist Dr Hughvon des Vignes. After the evidence of complainant in the matter Cpl Irvin Fournellier, the State closed its case. The chief magistrate then told the accused that a prima facie case had been made out against him. “There is sufficient evidence to commit you to stand trial for murder,” Mc Nicolls told the accused.