TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO: MAN SENTENCED TO HANG FOR MURDER

May 2, 2012: In Trinidad and Tobago, forty-five minutes was all it took for a jury to decide Kevin Borris was guilty of murdering pensioner Anthony Roland, wrapping his body in a sheet, disposing of the body in some bushes behind Roland's house and then moving his own wife Sebastien and children into the dead man's home.
Following the announcement of the verdict, 29-year-old Borris was sentenced to death by hanging by Justice Prakash Moosai in the First Criminal Court at the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain.
Leading evidence on behalf of the State were attorneys Brent Winter, Janelle John and Mauriceia Joseph; while Borris was represented by attorneys Wayne Rajbansie and Bernadette De Leon.
Roland, 67, was last seen alive by neighbours around 4 p.m. on May 13, 2005. His body, which bore several chop wounds, was discovered at the back of his Suffolk Lane, Belmont, home the next day.
Forensic pathologist Dr Eslyn McDonald-Burris opined that Roland died as a result of severe blood loss due to the wounds he sustained.
Sebastien gave evidence that she and Borris had, without permission, moved into an unoccupied furnished house at 34 Pitman Lane, Belmont, and had stayed there for six months until they were given notice on May 11, 2005, to vacate the premises in two days.
Sebastien said she was present when Borris jumped the wall at the unoccupied but furnished Pitman Lane address and used shears to cut the chain on the front gate.
She said Borris then proceeded to remove a louvre pane from one of the windows and pushed his hand through to open the front door.
The court was told by Sebastien that she, Borris and her three children took up residence at the house two days later. Sebastien said neither she nor Borris was given permission to move into the house.
Borris and Sebastien were inside Roland's Suffolk Lane home when police officers responded to a report made by neighbours. They testified they became suspicious when told by Borris that Roland had agreed to rent the place to his family. (Sources: www.trinidadexpress.com, 02/05/2011)