In Court This Week - JURY CONVICTS NORRIS POTHIN OF MURDER

In court this week

JURY CONVICTS NORRIS POTHIN OF MURDER

The jury returned a guilty verdict last week in the case of The Republic v/s Norris Pothin. The incident which resulted in the death of Terry Farrabeau happened on Saturday 8th July 2006, and revolved around politics. The evidence of the witnesses who deponed at the trial reveals that the SPPF party committee for Nageon Estate had apparently organized a gathering for its supporters at the Pointe Larue community centre. At around 10 p.m the accused along with his concubine, one Bernadette Lime, had left the community centre, proceeding towards Upper Nageon Estate. There, a gathering had assembled including supporters of both SPPF and SNP supporters. A clash resulted between the two camps with stones being thrown indiscriminately by both sides. The police was called and after they intervened order was restored at around 11 p.m.

The earlier incident had apparently involved one Frank Kilindo, an SNP activist, who had clashed with the son of one Elizabeth Hoareau. The accused had passed by Mrs. Hoareau’s house along with his concubine where they remained and had drinks until early in the morning of 9th July. Frank Kilindo complained to the police that in this earlier incident the accused had assaulted his son with a stick. The Prosecution, led by young State Counsel, Joel Camille, contended that this was a separate incident and there was no connection to the murder by accused.

The Prosecution’s case was based on evidence that at around 2.30 a.m. on the 9th July, the deceased Terry Farrabeau along with his brother Andre Farrabeau, and his nephew Peter Farrabeau had left the house of his sister, Rose Mary Kilindo who happens to be the wife of Frank Kilindo, to go towards their abode at Upper Nageon Estate. Reaching Elizabeth’s house at Upper Nageon Estate, the accused is alleged to have confronted the deceased. A fight broke out between the two men. Peter Farrabeau testified that he witnessed seeing the accused removed a knife with which he allegedly stabbed the deceased. The deceased had apparently raised his hands for his defence and in the process lost his balance and fell down. Both Peter Farrabeau and one Nixon Farrabeau (deceased nephew), who by then had just arrived from an activity from Anse Aux Pins, testified that at this point Bernadette Lime jumped onto the deceased and assaulted him with slaps in his face.

The witnesses then testified to have seen the accused removed a small axe and continue to assault the deceased with both the axe and the knife whilst Terry remained helplessly on the ground. The accused is then alleged to have become aggressive and demented, losing all self control and self restraint. All attempts to stop him by both Nixon and Peter resulted in the accused threatening them and giving them chase with the weapons in his hands. They fled from the scene.

Other witnesses testified that for almost fifteen minutes before the ambulance came the accused swore and threatened innocent passer-by, and continuously walked back to the body of the deceased and continued to inflict further injuries on his body with both the axe and the knife. The ambulance and police arrived later. The accused was arrested along with Lime and brought to hospital for medical treatment were they were treated for minor laceration injuries onto their heads and faces.