Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Lawyer for George Burrows murder accused wants access to crime scene, witness

Lawyer for George Burrows murder accused wants access to crime scene, witness

High Court Judge Richard G. Floyd has tossed out an application that murder accused Royden Sebastien, through his lawyer, brought to the court to be allowed access to the locus in quo (crime scene) and to a key witness of the Crown.

Sebastien’s attorney Mr David A. Penn brought the application.

Sebastien is accused of murdering George Burrows at his home in Purcell Estate on September 2, 2020.

Mr Penn had submitted that it is essential to his case that he and his private investigator be allowed to visit the scene of this incident and to interview the eyewitness in the case.

A private investigator acting on behalf of Counsel for the Applicant provided an Affidavit indicating that he was in contact with the witness as well as other witnesses but his interactions were brief.

He argued that his client’s case would be prejudiced without such access because the photos of the scene that have been disclosed are insufficient and they want the opportunity to explore the statement of the witness.

Mr Penn also submitted that the police were encouraging the witnesses not to allow access to the scene and not to speak with the Applicant’s investigator. As such, the police were interfering with the conduct of the defence case.

Attorneys Mrs Kellee-Gai Smith and Mr Kristian Johnson represented the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution/ respondent.

They argued that there is no basis in law to support this Application to compel a citizen to grant access to her/his premises and to compel a witness to make herself/himself available for questioning. The locus is a private residence, a family dwelling. The only way an order could be made for a view at a locus is during the trial. The photographs taken by forensic police officers and already disclosed are sufficient for everyone’s purposes at this time and prior to trial.

George Burrows, 54, was killed at his Purcell Estate, Tortola, home on Wednesday, September 2, 2020. He was reportedly shot in the head while in his bedroom.


Application tossed


After listening to the legal arguments, Judge Floyd said he was tossing out the application for several reasons.

“With the greatest of respect to the submissions of Counsel for the Applicant, this Court can find nothing in the material filed nor in the submissions made, that the police are actively encouraging witnesses, including the homeowner, not to speak with Counsel for the Applicant or his representatives or to prevent their entry to the residence.”

“Similarly, this Court can find nothing to substantiate the submission that the police are actively interfering with the conduct of the defence of the Applicant. It appears that the police have simply acted as an intermediary between Counsel for the Applicant and the witnesses, which is eminently reasonable in the circumstances.”

Due to this, the Judge said, he was not persuaded of the merits of the application.

“The Applicant will not suffer prejudice to his case nor experience unfairness nor be unable to make full answer and defence without access to this witness and to this locus. For all of these reasons, the Application is hereby dismissed,” he said in a judgement on December 17, 2021.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×