The trial of labourer, Quincy Henry, for the attempted murder of another man is set to commence this morning before Justice Brassington Reynolds and a 12-member jury at the High Court in Georgetown.
Appearing before the judge and jury empanelled to hear his case yesterday, Henry, called ‘Fix it,’ pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder Troy Hughes Bacchus called ‘Fletcher.’
He also pleaded not guilty to an alternative count of wounding Bacchus with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm; or to maim, disfigure or disable him.
The offences were allegedly committed on September 20th, 2015.
Having observed the accused to be unrepresented when the matter was called, Justice Reynolds recommended that he retains counsel, given that the attempted murder charge levelled against him was a serious one.
He explained to Henry who said he had a hearing impairment, that the state was not obligated to provide him with an attorney for the offences on which he had been arraigned, but that he would be given an opportunity to secure one if he so desired.
It was against this backdrop that he enquired from Henry, whether he wanted some time to retain counsel. The accused acceded, and the court granted him until today to seek legal representation.
To this end, Justice Reynolds ordered the police to facilitate Henry with a phone call to his relatives whom he said were not at court, as they were likely unaware that his matter was coming up for hearing.
Henry, too, who was on bail and had to be taken to court by police, said that he was unaware that he was required to attend court yesterday.
Owing to the fact that he had to be escorted to court by police, Henry, when told by the judge that he would have to be remanded, tried ardently to explain that he was not trying to evade the court.
According to him, he was just not aware that he needed to be at court.
The man who has no fixed place of abode, told the judge that the police know that he could be found around the Bourda Market area where he works as a handyman.
“Is nah like I trying fuh run from the court,” Henry advanced, as he made a passionate plea to retain his pretrial liberty, while suggesting to the judge that he could write on a piece of paper, the date he needed to return to court.
The court was, however, not swayed by Henry’s laments, and remanded him for commencement of the trial today when he is expected to be present with his attorney.
