Ryan Bobb-Semple, the man accused of murdering nine-year-old Shaquan Gittens, has been determined mentally fit to stand trial.
As a result, the preliminary inquiry into the murder charge against Bobb-Semple is due to begin on October 12.
Bobb-Semple, who had been described as mentally unstable, was earlier in the year ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation was ordered after his attorney, Paul Fung-A-Fat, had told the court that the accused was not fit to stand trial. Fung-A-Fat was not present at the man’s hearing yesterday.
The decision to begin the preliminary inquiry was announced by Prosecutor Stephen Telford, who yesterday informed the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed with the matter and had 14 witnesses ready to testify. The preliminary inquiry will be heard in Court 5, where Magistrate Fabayo Azore will be presiding.
On April 1, nine-year-old Shaquan Gittens, formerly of 2950 Well Road, North Ruimveldt Gittens, went missing after leaving his home to fly kites with his friend in the area.
After a harrowing search, the boy’s body was discovered three days later in a trench off of Cane View Avenue, South Ruimveldt Park. Gittens, who was reportedly wearing only the t-shirt he’d left home with, was found with his hands bound and in a state that indicated he had been a victim of sexual violence. An autopsy report later revealed that Gittens died as a result of a compression injury to the neck and asphyxiation due to drowning.
