The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON


Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

SENTENCING will take place today for a man who claimed that while “under the influence”, he accidentally killed another man who had stolen his cocaine pipe.

Andrew Rolle, a 40-year-old scrap metal collector, will return to Supreme Court before Justice Bernard Turner to be sentenced for the April 9, 2010 stabbing death of 37-year-old Dennison Brice.

Rolle had originally been charged with murder. It was claimed he stabbed Brice in the chest while the two men were on an unnamed road off Fire Trail Road.

Rolle, who said he had been drinking and smoking drugs that day, claimed around the time of the incident, he accused the deceased of stealing his cocaine pipe.

On Monday, before the jury could hear the evidence of prosecution witnesses, Rolle, on the advice of his attorney Christina Galanos, changed his plea, saying he was guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

The lawyer explained that there was evidence of provocation and said it should be taken into account that Rolle’s mental capacity was impaired by alcohol and smoking.

Prosecutor Neil Brathwaite accepted the plea on the reduced charge.

Ms Galanos will address Justice Turner first and make a mitigation plea on behalf of her client before the judge hands down his sentence.

The sentencing hearing will take place at 10am.