Two trials end in freedom for defendants

It took the nine person jury only three hours to return a unanimous not guilty verdict in the manslaughter trial of Julio Che. The forty-eight year old Che was charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of thirty-five year old Jaime Serrano in October of 2006 in Ladyville. Witnesses testified that death followed an argument with Serrano although they did not see any weapon. Che, undefended, told the court in an un-sworn statement from the dock that he was elsewhere at the time. This was the second trial for Che arising from the same killing. In his first judicial encounter he was acquitted of murder but the jury was deadlocked on the manslaughter charge.

Another man who went free today was twenty year old Stackle Monsanto. Monsanto, who was charged with the burglary of Kim’s Shop on South Street in August 2007, had those charges dismissed because the investigating officer failed to have the victim identify the stolen items that were recovered. Monsanto was wounded in the leg when the shopkeeper shot him during the robbery.