Man released after spending 16 years in jail

In ordering his release, Justice Hayden St Clair-Douglas agreed with Kenrick Hercules’ attorney, Shontel Hinds, that to further incarcerate him would not serve the interest of justice.

Hercules, 59, of Roxborough, Tobago, spent almost 16 years in prison for the killing of his wife Susan, whom he accused of being unfaithful to him, and mother-inlaw Tara Reid, who intervened when the couple were arguing, taunting him, saying her daughter could sleep with whomever she wanted. The mother and daughter were killed on March, 29, 2001.

Hercules told police his wife would continuously bring men to their marital home to have sexual intercourse and his motherin- law would encourage his wife’s infidelity.

He attacked both women with a knife and, after doing so, went to the Roxborough Police Station where he reported the incident. He was charged with the murder of the two women.

At the time of the incident, Hercules was employed with the Tobago House of Assembly as a farmer.

He underwent psychological and psychiatric evaluations which revealed that he had a psychiatric history since 1973 and had cannabis-related psychosis. He began using marijuana at the age of 21 and graduated to cocaine use at the age of 30, which led to him hearing voices.

In March 2006, the State accepted Hercules’ plea of guilty to manslaughter, by reason of diminished responsibility and former High Court judge, Justice Herbert Volney, sentenced Hercules to eight years at the Court’s Pleasure with his sentence to be reviewed by the court.

Hercules came up for his first review in March, 2014, before St. Clair-Douglas.

Hinds submitted that Hercules completed and attained certificates in at least eight rehabilitative programs and was described as an exemplary inmate.

In releasing Hercules on a three-year bond to keep the peace under the supervision of the Probation Department in Tobago, Hercules also has to attend the Tobago Rehabilitation and Empowerment Centre and be subjected to mandatory random drug tests.

Speaking after his release, Hercules expressed regret for the lives he took and blamed himself.

He said he has asked God and the family of his wife and motherin- law for forgiveness.

He is also looking forward to making amends with his children and was grateful for the opportunity to be able to see his 87 year-old mother.

Hercules also wants to assist other drug abusers and is expected to return to the Port of Spain High Court on January 17, 2018, with a Probation Officer for a status report on his compliance.