Diego man to stand trial for murder

A 30-year-old Diego Martin man was yesterday committed to stand trial at the next sitting of the Assizes for the murder of 16-year-old Duncan Prince, who was chopped to death a few months ago. The ruling was made by Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls who presided over the matter in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court. Accused Lyndon “Iron” James was told to stand in the prisoner’s dock, when the committal was read to him. The ruling came moments after the last of 13 State witnesses gave evidence in the inquiry.

Earlier, James’ attorney Ian Brooks made a no-case submission, telling Mc Nicolls the State brought witnesses who all contradicted themselves. “All of the witnesses failed to identify this man (the accused) as the one who committed the crime. This accused could not have committed this crime. The State is simply relying on the declaration of the deceased, that Iron chopped him. However, it was clearly stated here in the court by one of the witnesses, that there were two men called ‘Iron’ living in the La Puerta area,” Brooks submitted. State attorney Candia James, in response to the defence attorney’s no-case submission, reminded the court of the relationship the accused had with the deceased’s mother, Angela Wood, and the fact that the accused frequented her home.

Following the submissions of both sides, the magistrate informed the defence attorney that he found there was sufficient evidence to commit the accused to stand trial for murder. Prince was chopped to death at his Trumpet Lane Diego Martin home on July 15. Following investigations, the accused was arrested and charged for the offence by Cpl Husbands of the Four Roads Police Station.