Murder charge in G’town dismemberment killing reduced to manslaughter

The prosecution has reduced from murder to manslaughter the charge against two men committed to stand trial in connection with the death of Sheldon Welch, 27, whose dismembered body was recovered in the Morne Garu Mountain on March 2, 2023.

Javid Da Silva, 23, Welch’s brother, as well as a then 15-year-old male, were charged with murder in connection with the slaying.

However, at their arraignment at High Court No. 1, in Kingstown, on Tuesday, Crown Counsel Richie Maitland informed the court that the prosecution was withdrawing the murder charge and substituting a lesser charge of manslaughter.

The men are to be tried alongside Lisroy Bacchus, 34, who is accused of assisting them by transporting Welch’s body to Morne Garu Mountain and burying him with intent to impede their apprehension.

Da SiIva and his co-accused had been in custody since their arrest in March 2023 but were granted bail on Tuesday after the charge was reduced to manslaughter.

When the matter was called, counsel Grant Connell informed the court that he represents Bacchus but had assisted the teen during the preliminary inquiry.

Responding to questions from Justice Brian Cottle, who presided along with Justice Rickie Burnett, Da Silva said he did not have the money to pay for a lawyer.

Justice Cottle asked Da Silva if he did not have friends or relatives who could assist, adding that it was a serious matter and the court would not allow him to represent himself.

Da Silva said he did not need a lawyer.

However, the judge told him he needed a lawyer as the court would not allow a murder accused to represent himself.

The judge explained the legal aid system, in which the next lawyer on a list is appointed and Da Silva said he would like the court to appoint a lawyer to represent him.

The next lawyer on the list was Israel Bruce and Da Silva said he had no difficulties with Bruce representing him.

“I don’t know him,” the accused man said.

Connell informed the court that he would represent the teen amicus.

After some interaction with the prosecutor about what charges should be put to whom and how they are to be worded, Da Silva and the teen pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter charge while Bacchus pleaded not guilty to the accessory charge.

However, the judge informed Bacchus that since the charge had been reduced to manslaughter, the court could no longer appoint a lawyer to represent him.

Connell applied for bail for Da Silva and the teen.

Maitland said that the Crown was not objecting to bail but asked that stringent conditions be applied, “given the seriousness of the offences”.

Connell, however, asked that the stringent conditions be “outside of the financially stringent conditions”, adding that the accused, especially the teen, are not of means.

Justice Cottle granted bail in the same condition that had been given to Bacchus.

Da Silva and the teen were granted EC$20,000 bail with one surety.

They are to report to the Georgetown Police Station on Mondays and Thursdays between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., surrender their travel documents and obtain permission from the court to leave the state. The court also ordered that stop notices be placed at ports of exit.

The judge adjourned the trial to a date to be fixed in the session, which ends in July.

Connell, however, asked that the matter be shortlisted.

However, Justice Cottle said he was constrained to do all of the matters.

“So, I am happy to do them as soon as possible. But there is also the fact that other citizens, who like them are eager for their day and may have been incarcerated sooner. They are all on bail and there may be some citizens who are not on bail and I take all these into consideration,” the judge said.