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Unanimous! Dion Stevens found Not Guilty of Manslaughter
A jury unanimously handed down a not-guilty verdict for Mr Stevens, who was charged with manslaughter.
Stevens was before the court following the death of 63-year-old local fisherman Jose A. Titley during a boating accident at Road Harbour on February 10, 2014.
Stevens freed after 2 years
Knowing the slow Virgin Islands court system and after some two years of this legal battle, Mr Stevens' relatives and friends were obviously relieved as they were seen outside the courthouse hugging and thanking God for the victory.
The case was heard before Justice Nicola Byer and the crown prosecutors were Valston M. Graham and Leslie A. Faulkner.
Mr Stevens was represented by prominent defense attorney Steven R. Daniels.
The boating collision, which occurred in Road Harbour on February 10, 2014, was between a small fisherman's boat which was at the time traveling into Baughers Bay and a 35-foot charter boat captained by Mr Stevens, who was taking passengers to the cruise pier tender dock.
What Happened?
According to court records, Titley was thrown into the water as a result of the impact, which saw the boat being dismantled. He was rescued by persons in another boat; however, on being transported to the tender dock, he lost consciousness and efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful and he later died.
The Crown had claimed that Stevens was going at an unsafe speed and displayed gross negligence.
However, the jury did not buy that version and rejected the government prosecutors’ case and returned a unanimous not guilty verdict.
Mr Steven was on bail during the trial.
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15 Responses to “Unanimous! Dion Stevens found Not Guilty of Manslaughter”
I take this opportunity once again to sympathize with the family of the deceased,but law is law. and the V.I Constitution makes provisions for a trial in the High Court,by a Judge and Jury.
The Constitution:
["Section 16 (1) of the V.I Constitution states:-
If any person is charged with a criminal offence,then,unless the charge is withdrawn,the case shall be afforded a fair hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial court established by LAW-
(2) Every person who is charged with a criminal offence SHALL-(a) Be presumed to be Innocent until he or she is proved Guilty according to law-(g) When charged on Indictment in the HIGH COURT,have the right to trial by JURY"].The V.I Constitution is our authoritative guide.
My dear brothers and sisters,particularly the members of the Jury:Remain calm and don't panic for your decision.
Remember; in presenting the V.I Constitution to the people of the Virgin Islands,At the Court at Buckingham Palace,on 13th June 2007,in the presence of the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council; the presenter wrote the following in the V.I Constitution:This is what is written:-
["Acknowledging that the society of the Virgin Islands is based upon certain moral,spiritual and democratic values including the belief in GOD,the dignity of the human person,the freedom of the individual and respect for Fundamental rights and freedoms and the RULE of LAW"].
A Jury trial pursuant to section 16 of the V.I Constitution,is a "Fundamental Right of any person charged with a criminal offence".
The two Crown Counsel who presented this case on behalf of the Queen/Crown are two of the best that the office of the DPP has ever seen in their field of work inside a court-house.
However,prosecutors/crown counsel and defense counsel,do not win or lose a case at a Trial under the Law.[No one wins,no one loses] It's the evidence presented,under oath that determines the outcome of a case to be Proved beyond a reasonable doubt or disproved for lack of evidence to substantiate the offence charged.
Jurors make emotional sacrifices,to deliberate on evidence heard-in court, and to determine the guilt or innocence of a fellow citizen or resident based only on that evidence.[No hee-hee-no ha ha]The jury has executed its duty to serve.
We as a people who who believe in God,and the dignity of the human person and the Rule of Law,should not question the competence of jurors and officers of the court,when they serve Her Majesty in a court of law.