The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

NEARLY a decade after a man was stabbed in the back on his way to the laundromat, the man accused of his murder was unanimously convicted by a Supreme Court jury.

Yesterday afternoon, following nearly three hours of deliberation, a 12 member jury found 38-year-old Hilfrant Joseph guilty of the December 6, 2002, murder of Hawkins Hill resident Christopher Butler.

The incident happened around 7pm as Butler made his way to the laundromat on Eighth Terrace.

Joseph, of Millers Heights, denied the murder charge throughout trial, though he opted to remain silent, choosing to rely on the evidence produced in the trial following the close of the prosecution’s case.

Justice Roy Jones summarised the evidence before excusing the jurors to deliberate on whether or not Joseph murdered Butler.
Minutes after 4pm, the jurors returned with a unanimous guilty verdict.

Justice Jones discharged the jury before addressing Joseph and reiterating the jury’s verdict.

He told Joseph that he would be sentenced on February 15, 2013 and would be remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison until that time.

The judge said that during his time on remand, he would be seen by a probation officer and psychiatrist, who would prepare reports for the court to consider before sentencing.