Accused in Verlinda rape & murder gets bail

After much back and forth, the long-awaited judgment on the constitutional motion brought forward by Human Rights lawyer Martinus Francois on behalf of his client, Eugene St Romain ended on Wednesday with Judge Francis Belle granting a $60, 000 bail.

Judge Belle also referred the criminal case back to the High Court for trial. St Romain has been held on remand for more than eight years awaiting the commencement of the trial for 13-year-old Verlinda Joseph’s rape and murder in 2002. In the interim he remained at the Bordelais Correctional Facility.

After the hearing was adjourned, a depressed Martinus Francois, together with St Romain’s two sisters and mother shared much disappointment with the judgment of the court. Francois says he plans to appeal the matter as soon as possible. More in this weekend’s issue of the STAR newspaper!