Petit Valley man to stand trial for murder

Dexter Simon stood expressionless when Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls ruled that there was enough evidence against him to stand trial for the murder of the former Unit Trust Corporation employee.

The Chief Magistrate also ruled that a prima facie case had been made out against Simon to stand trial at the next sitting of the Assizes for the attempted murder of Sumara Akong, sister of the deceased, who has been left wheelchair bound since the July 3 incident. The court heard evidence from several witnesses called by State prosecutor Jennifer Martin.

Representing the accused throughout the proceedings was attorney Theodore Guerra SC, who cross-examined some of the witnesses at length during the preliminary inquiry.

Before the end of yesterday’s proceedings, the court also heard evidence from a 14-year-old sister of the deceased.

The deceased and her sister, Sumara, were both attacked on July 3 during a dispute involving their mother and a man.

Melissa Akong and her sisters were allegedly attempting to restrain the attacker, who was reportedly struggling with their mother, when the cutlass wielding man turned on them.

The suspect reportedly turned himself in to the West End Police Station hours after the attack.

He was said to be accompanied by a female relative who is a police officer.

Simon will stand trial for murder and attempted murder at the next sitting of the Assizes.