Two youths charged with the murder of infant Sean Luke four years ago yesterday petitioned the High Court to be allowed to stay at the Youth Training Centre (YTC) although one was now over the age of 18.
Murder accused Akeel Mitchell, 17, and Richard Chatoo, 20, told Justice Carla Brown-Antoine in the San Fernando High Court they wanted to complete YTC-sponsored training courses.
Mitchell was 13 years old and Chatoo was 16 when they were arrested for the March 26, 2006 killing of Luke, whose body was found in a cane field near his home at Orange Valley, Couva, two days after he went missing.
An autopsy found that Luke died from internal bleeding caused when a cane stalk was inserted through the boy’s rectum.
The two accused made the unusual request when they appeared in the San Fernando Fourth Criminal Court for a trial date to be fixed.
Males under the age of 18 and denied bail on criminal matters are remanded in the custody of the YTC. Justice Brown-Antoine said, ’It is possible to remand someone over the age of 16 to YTC.’
State attorney Jeron Joseph said he had no objection to the request, the judge made no determination on the defence request and the accused were returned to YTC yesterday.
Joseph said the State was ready to proceed to trial.
Defence attorney Celeste Jules asked that the case be transferred to Port of Spain.
Jules held for defence attorney Wayne Sturge, who is representing Mitchell. Sturge has been appointed through legal aid.
Jules said should the matter be heard in San Fernando, Sturge will not be able to defend his client.
She said attorney Keith Scotland was approached to represent Chatoo, but this had not yet been formalised. Two legal aid attorneys had been appointed in the matter but, Jules said, legal aid is a problem, especially in San Fernando.
’There are many reasons why this matter has to be heard expeditiously,’ Jules said, as she made reference to both accused being minors at the time of the incident. Brown-Antoine adjourned to a yet to be determined date in June for another status hearing.
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