By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A MAN sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment for the rape of a 69-year-old woman has had his trial transcripts made available to him as he challenges his conviction in the Court of Appeal.
Eric Oneil Strachan, 29, made an appearance yesterday in the Claughton House courtroom before Justices Anita Allen, Abdulai Conteh and Neville Adderley concerning the status of his application.
His court-appointed attorney, Dr Glendon Rolle, informed the judges that he was just informed late Wednesday afternoon that the trial transcripts were now available for pick-up.
The judges affirmed that they had also just received the transcripts that afternoon, though they were not all final drafts.
Dr Rolle said that he would be prepared to argue the appeal with rough and/or final drafts of the transcripts. Strachan’s substantive hearing date was set to March 25.
In September 2011, a jury of seven women and two men returned a verdict of guilty against Strachan by a vote of 6-3 on all four charges he faced; one count of rape, two counts of attempted rape, and one count of indecent assault of a 69-year-old woman.
According to trial evidence, the victim was staying at a home with Strachan and his mother in Andros Town, Eight Mile Rock on December 10, 2010, when the incident occurred.
The elderly woman was lying on a sofa in the front room watching television when she was attacked by Strachan, who had returned home from drinking at a bar.
The victim said she was dragged into Strachan’s bedroom where he took off her clothing, had sex with her, and performed various sexual acts on her.
The elderly woman further said she wrestled with Strachan until she had no more strength left. The prosecution presented DNA evidence and medical reports that indicated that the victim had been raped.
Strachan however claimed the sex was consensual. While giving evidence under oath, Strachan claimed he was “tipsy” and that the victim had touched him and propositioned him. Justice Hartman Longley, in late 2011, sentenced Strachan to 11 years imprisonment for the crimes.
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