Drew Farrell, 29, made several excuses about not understanding what the judge previously asked in getting a lawyer but Justice Ellis beckoned him closer to the bench so that he could hear and understand clearly what she was saying. Photo: VINO/File

Drew Farrell, 29, made several excuses about not understanding what the judge previously asked in getting a lawyer but Justice Ellis beckoned him closer to the bench so that he could hear and understand clearly what she was saying.

Farrell, who told the court that he had a lawyer previously in the lower court before he successfully secured bail, was asked if he knew the penalty for the offence he is charged with and was informed that it was a term of life imprisonment.

“You seem to have a difficulty hearing what I’m saying. I know that I speak very clearly,” Justice Ellis told Farrell while relating the importance of seeking legal representation to the accused man.

“If you have a possible penalty of life imprisonment, the only priority in your life now could be to do what?” Justice Ellis asked before urging that Farrell secure an attorney.

“Get a lawyer! It is a serious charge. Go to the legal aid department. Do not come out of there until they have agreed to secure your representation.” She advised.

Farrell is expected to face trial for the offence of attempting to choke on October 7, 2014 when the next assizes begins. A previous charge of possession of a firearm has since been dismissed.

According to the allegations, the Virtual Complainant (VC) was at home at about 11:30 P.M. on October 1, 2012 when the defendant called her phone to speak with her. She asked what the matter was and he told her he had received a phone call from someone who informed him that she was seen at the top of The Baths in a short brown top with a man.

The defendant then allegedly arrived at the VC’s home and she came to the door at his request for a conversation, standing at the partially opened doorway with part of her body remaining inside the house.

At some point during the conversation an argument reportedly ensued and the VC tried to close the doorway but the defendant then allegedly grabbed her by the throat and began to choke her. She eventually freed herself but the defendant held on to a blue t-shirt she was wearing at the time and tore it.

The defendant then allegedly struck the VC to the right side of her face with his fist and held on to her throat again and began choking her once more. The VC stated that as he did this, she felt her breath leaving her body as if she was about to die.

The VC then called for help and a male and female from the apartment came to her assistance. The male allegedly held the defendant and tried to push him from the VC; they then became involved in a tussle at which point the defendant allegedly pulled out a black gun from his waist.

The male, the court heard, held on to the defendant's hand in an effort to seize the gun since the defendant was heading towards the VC at this time.

The female, who came to the VC's assistance, then reportedly shouted at the defendant, telling him to leave the apartment. At this time the male managed to get the defendant out of the apartment.