J’can wanted for murder in US ordered extradited
A Jamaican man wanted for murder in the United States was yesterday ordered extradited by Resident Magistrate Martin Gayle in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court.
The accused man, Robert Williams, 52, has 15 days in which to file for a writ of habeus corpus in the full court if he wants to appeal the order.
The court was told that Williams was being sought by the police in the state of Connecticut for the July 13, 1990 stabbing death of his spouse, Jeanette Grice. The court was told that Williams stabbed Grice several times after the woman told him she was using him. It was argued by the prosecution that Williams had confessed to the crime in a conversation with his friend, Silton Davis who resides in the United States. Williams is alleged to have fled the country after he committed the crime.
Bert Samuels, Williams’ lawyer, argued that his client should not be extradited as the submission of evidence suggested that his client should be tried for manslaughter by provocation and not for murder. He said the request for Williams’ extradition on a charge of murder should therefore be thrown out by the court.
However, RM Gayle did not find favour with the attorney’s application and ordered the man extradited.
Williams was remanded in custody until the extradition procedure is complete.
Williams first appeared in court on November 19, this year.