Burglar’s appeal dismissed

An aggravated burglar’s application to the Court of Appeal to overturn his conviction and sentence was dismissed after the judges found no merit in its grounds.

Corey Omar McDonald Noel of Joe’s River, St Joseph, was convicted in 2019 of entering the home of Virginia Challenor as a trespasser while brandishing a sword and stealing $157 in cash, a pair of earrings worth $100, a chain worth $150, a pendant worth $500, two rings worth $10 150 belonging to her as well as two shotguns worth $12 000 and 100 rounds of ammunition belonging to George Challenor on December 8, 2011. 

In 2020, Justice Jacqueline Cornelius sentenced Noel to 16 years for the offence, but after the deductions, he was left having to serve eight years and 82 days.

He appealed the conviction and sentence, insisting that his written statement should not have been allowed to be entered as evidence as he had never made it and that the nature and manner in which the trial was conducted were biased. He also cited that the judge had not appointed him an attorney.

President of the Court of Appeal Justice Francis Belle, along with Justices of Appeal William Chandler and Margaret Reifer said that after reviewing the evidence, no merit was found in the four grounds outlined by the appellant.

“The appeal is dismissed, and the conviction is affirmed,” Justice Belle stated.