Police were questioned yesterday on why they did not carry out an identification parade in an alleged case of attempted rape.
The case, which began on October 4, is being heard before Justice John lsaacs at the Supreme Court in Bank Lane.
The accused, Alutus Newbold, who in his 30s, was charged with attempted rape, burglary and causing harm to an 85-year-old woman, who is from Orange Creek, Cat Island.
Representing the defendant is Michael Smith. Counsel for the Crown is Stephanie Pintard.
Sergeant 1666 Smith, the lead investigator on the case, took the stand yesterday to be cross examined. The accused’s attorney asked the officer whether or not he should have conducted an identification parade.
οΎ ”There was no need need for it,” the officer replied.
“In Cat Island, sir, in a oneroom area, it would not have been possible to hold an identification parade at the station,” he added.
Mr Smith then questioned the sergeant about the processing of hair samples, bodily fluids or DNA samples that he and his colleagues might have collected from the accused at the beginning of the investigation. He asked: “So, there is no clinical evidence that links my client, Mr Newbold, to the complainant?”
Sergeant Smith replied that he would not be able to answer the question.
The attorney then put it to the officer that from the very beginning, the police were of the view that no one but the defendant could have committed the crime.
Sergeant Smith responded that an identification parade was not necessary because the complainant had already identified the accused as the one who committed the crime.
By 11:30 yesterday morning, both the crown and defence had closed their cases.
Justice Issacs then cautioned Mr Newbold about his rights. He explained that the accused could remain silent if he wishes, or could take the stand and give testimony from the witness box.
Mr Newbold chose to remain silent.
Newbold is alleged to have committed the offences on July 3, 2004.
The offences are alleged to have taken place at Orange Creek, Cat Island.
Earlier in the week the alleged victim, now 85 years old, who walked with a cane, had to be helped into court.
She testified that it was the accused who broke into her home and attempted to have sex with her.
The victim said that in response, she grabbed, pulled on and “mashed” his genitals. She said the accused bit her in an effort to be released, escaped through the back door of her home and ran down the street.
The trial is set to continue today.
Source: The Tribune
