Murder-accused to reappear in court in January

A young man facing three criminal charges, including murder, is now on remand at Dodds Prison.

Royale Achim Juwan Trotman, a 23-year-old labourer from No. 6 Gall Hill Terrace, St John was not required to enter a plea on the murder charge. He is alleged to have taken the life of 74-year-old Phyllis Edgehill between November 28 and December 1.

Additionally, no plea was recorded on the charge that on December 19 being a prisoner in lawful custody, having been arrested for murder, he escaped without the use of force.

Trotman however took responsibility for an assault charge which he committed against Jadon Sobers on December 16.

Station Sergeant Peter Barrow told Oistins Magistrate Deidre McKenna that Sobers, who had been sharing a cell with Trotman at the Oistins Police Station called for assistance around 9 p.m.

The complainant told lawmen he was resting on a bed when Trotman said to him: “I have to take one for the team.” When asked what he meant by the comment Trotman reportedly asked Sobers if he hadn’t heard that he was on a murder charge, to which he responded “oh”.

Soon after the complainant felt someone jump on the bed. When he looked back Trotman attacked him, placing him in a choke hold. Sobers was able to get away and called for police assistance. He received medical attention.

However, Trotman’s attorney-at-law Shadia Simpson told Magistrate McKenna that based on her instructions the behaviour displayed by her client on December 16 was out of character.

“He has been suffering from some mental issues . . . including post-traumatic stress following the death of his father. According to my instructions this behaviour in recent times is not characteristic of Mr Trotman,” Simpson said.

The defence lawyer also explained that while she was ready to mitigate on her client’s behalf she thought it prudent that a psychological evaluation be conducted on him at the Psychiatric Hospital.

She added: “It appears that something is not right given the statement he made ‘I have to take one for the team’”.

Trotman’s family, the attorney further explained, had also expressed concerns about some of the remarks he had been making within the last few weeks.

“I am of the view that having a report at this time will be in his best interest,” Simpson submitted.

However, the prosecutor stated that such an evaluation could be conducted at the prison.

Magistrate McKenna ordered that the evaluation be done by experts at the St Philip institution and a report be submitted to the Oistins Magistrates’ Court.

Trotman will reappear before her on January 17, 2022 on the assault conviction.

The murder and escape charges have been transferred to the District ‘C’ Magistrates’ Court for January 13, 2022.