ST. VINCENT: MAN ACQUITTED OF KILLING PM'S PRESS

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000134

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

WHA/CAR FOR MICHAEL FORTIN
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM SOCI PGOV PHUM KJUS PREL XL VC
SUBJECT: ST. VINCENT: MAN ACQUITTED OF KILLING PM'S PRESS
SECRETARY

SIPDIS

REF: A. 06 BRIDGETOWN 554

B. 06 BRIDGETOWN 425


1. (U) Summary: In a year of sensational crime stories, St.
Vincent witnessed its most sensational trial fall apart this
week, as the man accused with the 2006 murder of the Prime
Minister's press secretary was acquitted of the charges. The
presiding judge had earlier ruled that an oral confession had
been inappropriately obtained, leading to the verdict. End
Summary.


2. (U) On February 28, 2008 the accused, Francis Williams,
was acquitted of all charges in the 2006 murder of Prime
Minister Ralph Gonsalves' former press secretary and personal
aide, Glenn Jackson (Reftels). The prosecution's case, which
had been investigated with help from Scotland Yard, was being
argued by the Director of Public Prosecutions and Trinidadian
lawyer Gilbert Peterson.


3. (U) High Court Judge Frederick Bruce-Lyle previously ruled
that the prosecution could not include as evidence an oral
confession received from Williams during the course of
investigation. According to Bruce-Lyle, the manner in which
the alleged confession was obtained breached several chapters
of the nation's Police Act. The judge noted that the police
officers in the investigation failed to properly record the
confession, and lambasted the police for an "awful
investigation."


4. (SBU) Comment: The abrupt end to the Glenn Jackson murder
trial will no doubt leave most Vincentians further
disenchanted with the country's police force and criminal
system. It also highlights the police force's perceived lack
of discipline. Considering the victim's crucial role in St.
Vincent politics and the ruling ULP party's success,
questions will linger as to the motives behind the killing.
End Comment.
OURISMAN