By John Denny Observer Reporter
(Charlestown, Nevis) ” A high-profile murder will be heard at the Nevis High Court, which convened earlier this week for the Fall Assizes. Seven cases are on the docket with the most serious being that of Warrington Phillip charged with the brutal murder of his wife Shermel Williams-Phillip. The term began on Nov. 3. Two jurors were absent Monday which prohibited any trial to begin, but all defendants in the seven cases set for this month were present and entered not guilty pleas. Of the seven cases, five had been traversed from the spring assize. Justice Fracis Bell stood in for resident Nevis Justice Ianthea Octave for the first case. Justice Bell reminded the jurors on Monday that their presence was crucial in the process of justice and that the absent jurors would be given one day of grace. Fines for contempt of court would be imposed upon those failing to show on the second day and if anyone in the courtroom knew the absent jurors, they should call them to inform them as such, said the judge. On Tuesday, all jurors were present. The first case heard was Dawn Challenger, accused of “attempt to influence a juror.” The alleged offense occurred during the 2005 trial of five defendants charged with murdering Eric Weekes in 2004. One of the defendants, Kishmoy Challenger is Dawn’s son and he was recently released on appeal for the murder conviction. Dawn’s husband Irvin was dismissed of the charge attempting to influence a juror in a previous sitting of the High Court. (See related story on page 3.) Another case heard this week was of defendants Leo Herbert of Cotton Ground and Wilson Jones of Fountain who allegedly broke into property at Paradise Estate on Independence Day, September 19, 2007 and stole an estimated $31,000 in jewelry. The two have been out on bail for the past year. Scheduled for next week, will be the trial of murder suspect Warrington Phillips. Mr. Phillips is accused of horrifically murdering his wife Shermelle Williams-Phillips on Feb. 16, 2007 at her home in Brown Hill. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge Phillip was taken into custody just hours after Shermelle’s body was discovered. He was at Alexandra Hospital seeking treatment for a mental breakdown and a doctor at the hospital called the police. Shermelle was found dead in her car at her home with multiple stab wounds to her neck, face and hands. A neighbor discovered the body when curious about her car lights being on. Shermelle’s father is the popular calypsonian Keith “King Dis N” Dat” Scarborough. According to family members, the relationship was one of repeated physical and emotional abuse which had caused Shermelle to flee from their Jessup’s home and return to the Brown Hill house the couple had once shared. Scarborough alleged that on several different occasions throughout the marriage, police had been summoned after Phillip had battered his wife. Police later confirmed receiving a complaint from Shermelle that her life had been threatened by her estranged husband. Until charged with murder, Phillip had no criminal record on the island of Nevis. Warrington Phillip is a former spin bowler for the Leeward Islands and is originally of Jessup’s Village. Scheduled for Nov. 17 are two cases: Esmerelda Dick of Farms Estate for inflicting grievous bodily harm and Osbourne Hewitt who is charged with incest and unlawful carnal knowledge. Nov. 19 the High Court will hear the case of Jermaine Charles who is charged with the offense of indecent assault and Nov. 20 the court will hear the case against Cleve David of Cotton Ground who is charged with building breaking with intent.
