The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

MORE than six years after a man was charged with murder, prosecutors presented the Supreme Court with a written directive from the attorney general requesting that proceedings against him be discontinued.

Vinson Ariste, 26, was to stand trial before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs concerning the July 16, 2010, murder of Noel Roach.

Roach was sitting in a car on Cascarilla Street with another man around 12.50am when two men pulled up in another car, got out and shot at the pair.

Roach was hit multiple times in his body. He was taken to hospital where he later died from his injuries.

In Monday’s brief hearing, Crown prosecutor Maria Zancolla presented a nolle prosequi - a notice abandoning prosecution - signed by Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson to the court.

Senior Justice Isaacs accepted the directives and told the accused man that regarding the current trial, the Crown would discontinue the case against him.

However, the judge informed him that the Crown had the right to reintroduce the charges at a future date if prosecutors wished.

Ariste remains in custody at the Department of Correctional Services due to other matters before the courts.