Miner walks free on manslaughter charge

Mar 10, 2019 News

A miner who was charged for manslaughter, walked free on Thursday after a jury of 12 in the Suddie High Court, unanimously found the accused not guilty. The accused, Thurston Kendrick Williams, who was charged for manslaughter committed on Charles Major, 57, maintained his innocence as he appeared before Judge Sandil Kissoon.
The court heard that Williams had allegedly murdered the 57-year-old man at Dickman Hill in the Madhia Backdam, some time between March 5 and March 6, 2015.
More than a year later, on May 16, 2016 the accused was arrested.

Freed: Thurston Kendrick Williams

In his caution statement to police on the said day, the accused allegedly said, ‘Charles [deceased] rape my aunty Jenny, plus he use to take away my gold, so me and Dougla [alleged accomplice] went and kill him.’
During the trial, the defense attorney, Melvin Duke, suggested that the caution statement was made up by the police in an effort to create a motive for the crime. He also told the jury that there is no physical evidence, which ties his client to the involvement in Major’s death.
The prosecutor’s case rode primarily on the testimony of the sister of the accused. The sister said that on March 5, 2015 about 11:30 hrs she was at home when the accused came out from the Backdam and started to curse. He allegedly said, “This ‘jackass’ call the police.”
Williams told the court that she then asked who he was referring to and the accused indicated that he was referring to the deceased.
The prosecution used this claim to highlight that there may have been a disagreement with the accused and deceased, which prompted him [deceased] to phone the police.
The sister further laid claims that on the said date, around 7pm, the accused left to go in the Backdam and he returned home around 9 pm with a friend.
She said that the accused later indicated that ‘he and Alex go and chop the man.’
The defense attorney again pointed out that the woman’s story may have been fabricated and in collusion with that of the police. In the witness box last Wednesday the prosecution’s primary witness was cross examined.
During cross examination the witness seemed somewhat unsure of the details that transpired on the said day. At times when asked key questions she replied saying, ‘I don’t know about that,’ or ‘I can’t remember.’ The witness at one point replied saying, “I did not understand what was written on the statement;’ referring to the statement she allegedly gave and signed.
After hearing both cases, the jury after deliberating for more than an hour, unanimously returned a verdict of not guilty.
The deceased Charles Major was butchered. The state pathologist reported that he received 41 incised wounds across the body, which may have been caused by a sharp object such as a cutlass. Major received injures to the brain, neck, head, arteries, lungs, hands, right knee, and the middle finger of his hand was almost severed, barely held together by a piece of skin.
After three years the killer may still be at large.

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