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The National Newspaper of St. Vincent and the Grenadines PRINTER SCANNER COPIER FAX Color scan, Fax forward to email, Network scan, PC/Walkup Fax, Copy/Print speed of up to 35ppm, USB 2.0

FRIDAY,

NOVEMBER 28, 2014

VOLUME 108, No.48

www.thevincentian.com

EC$1.50

Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Colin John led the case for the prosecution. by HAYDN HUGGINS A 29-YEAR-OLD WOMAN who was this week cleared of six criminal charges, including a murder charge, is appealing to persons to “stay away from crime”. Otricia Smart, also known as ‘One Eye’, originally of Greggs, made the appeal while speaking to THE VINCENTIAN, just after emerging from the High Otricia Smart hugs her lawyer, Patina Knights on emerging a free woman from the High Court last Monday.

Court building on Monday, November 24, a free woman. Smart had been behind bars for almost four years, charged with the June 22, 2010 murder of 37-year-old Venezuelan businessman, Juan Carlos Cuauro Chirinos. She was also charged with:

unlawfully and maliciously wounding with intent his brother, Douglas Efren Cuauro Chirinos, 34; two counts of unlawful use of a firearm; and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to commit an offence. All the charges stemmed from the same incident. Smart was charged jointly

with Sheon ‘Scobie’ Veira, 42, who resided at Arnos Vale, but is originally of Lowmans Windward. Following a ruling by Justice Kathy Ann Latchoo on legal arguments heard during a Voir Dire (trial within a trial), which had started following the commencement of the substantive matter on November 17, at the Criminal Assizes, Smart was freed of all six charges. Justice Latchoo directed the 12member jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty on all counts. The case against Veira continued.

Going back to prison as God’s servant An elated Smart hugged her lawyer Patina Knights after emerging from the court building smiling. “Right now, I am so excited, I just want to thank God because I made it after so long”, the mother of two told THE VINCENTIAN. “It is a real good

feeling. Thank God for my lawyer; in spite of everything, she stuck it out with me to the end,” she added. Smart admitted that prior to her incarceration, certain things had caused her to stray away from God, but she has since recommitted herself to the Almighty. She does not belong to any specific church, but considers herself a Christian, and she intends to return to the prisons periodically, not as a prisoner, but as a Christian soldier administering the word of God. Despite the challenges of prison life, Smart described her time behind bars as a learning experience. “I learnt a lot”, she declared, and singled out crocheting, a skill she can now use to create self-employment. While in prison, Smart gave birth to a girl, now three years old. Her other child is a 13-year-old boy, a student of the Emmanuel High School,

Mesopotamia. She was anxious to reunite with her children.

Case development Smart was initially listed as a key witness in the case involving the Venezuelans, but at a Preliminary Inquiry, which had commenced on December 24, 2010, the prosecution withdrew the charges against Veira after Smart did not testify against him. However, minutes after, Smart was arrested and charged with the murder of the Venezuelan and the other crimes, and Veira was subsequently recharged in connection with the matter. Continued on Pg 3.


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