RETRIAL ORDERED

A RETRIAL was yesterday ordered in the matter in which New York resident Ian Palmer Williams is on two separate charges of causing the deaths of two pedestrians, father and son, by dangerous driving, after he allegedly ran over and killed the duo along the Beetham Highway in February 2002.

The retrial was ordered by High Court Judge Ivor Archie following the six-three verdict that was returned by the jury who deliberated over the evidence for the three hours allowed to reach a verdict.  When the nine-member jury returned, the judge asked the foreman if additional time would assist the jury in coming to a unanimous verdict and was told that it would not. The judge then explained that since the jury was in a deadlock with regard to the verdict, he would have to order a retrial to be heard at the next sitting of the Assizes. He is charged with the motor manslaughter of Dalton Raymond and his son Christpher. Following the verdict Dalton’s wife Angela could be seen leaving the Hall of Justice in tears. Williams was placed on continuing bail in the sum of $50,000. Williams appeared before Justice Archie in the Port-of-Spain Fourth Criminal Court charged with causing the deaths of Dalton and Christopher Raymond by dangerous driving. Dalton 71, Christopher, 19, were knocked down and killed while walking along the shoulder of the Beetham Highway around 5 am on February 20, 2002.

The facts presented to the court by State attorney Kathy-Ann Waterman-Latchoo was that Williams was driving his car in the middle lane of the Beetham Highway heading to Port-of-Spain when he tried to overtake a truck. He realised that he could not pass on the right lane since there was a car in front of him, so he swung onto the left lane and struck two people who were walking along the shoulder of the highway. The two were killed on the spot. One hour later the police found Williams’ car parked in front of his Western Main Road, Cocorite home, with damage to the front windscreen and bonnet. Two officers confronted Williams, who claimed that he was drinking with some friends at the Attic Club when his vehicle was stolen. Some time later Williams gave a different version of what had happened. He was later charged for the offences. Williams was represented in the trial by SC Desmond Allum, Carlyle Serrano, Rajiv Persad and Brent Ali. Waterman-Latchoo appeared for the State.