The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

PRINCE Hepburn will contest his murder conviction and sentence at the Court of Appeal concerning Nellie Mae Brown-Cox’s killing on the basis that he was suffering from “diminished responsibility” at the time.

Hepburn appeared in the appellate court yesterday before Justices Anita Allen, Stanley John and Neville Adderley in what was expected to be the substantive hearing of the matter.

However, the court was informed by Hepburn’s lawyer, Murrio Ducille, that the appellant had made an addition to the original notice of appeal and submissions. He also said that he was now in receipt of the transcripts that included the trial proceedings and sentencing.

The court, wanting to have the matter heard without any further delays, suggested that the appellants serve the Crown with their amended documents with the matter being heard on September 18.

In March 2013, Hepburn was convicted of the murder of Brown-Cox, the 42-year-old former president of the Bahamas Heart Association, the woman he intended to marry upon the conclusion of their respective divorces.

Three months later, Justice Indra Charles, before passing sentence, said she was not of the view that Hepburn had expressed remorse for what occurred on April 6-7, 2011.

Brown-Cox was found dead in the kitchen of an apartment on Bougainvillea Blvd, South Beach, with multiple stab wounds. Hepburn, her partner at the time, was charged in connection with her death six days later when he was arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court.

Hepburn denied the murder charge and through Mr Ducille, his lawyer, maintained that he could not accept responsibility for murder because he was not in the right frame of mind as testified by Dr Michael Neville, a psychiatrist of more than 30 years’ experience.

It was explained that at the time he was suffering from “diminished responsibility”.

Justice Charles sentenced Hepburn to 57 years at Her Majesty’s Prison.