Royston Alfred who was on trial in the High Court for killing his partner three years ago on D’Urban Street was convicted of murder last week and sentenced to death by Justice Claudette La Bennett.
He showed no emotion after judgement was handed down and quietly left the courtroom. The jury deliberated for two hours before returning with a guilty verdict.
Alfred killed Cathedra Parris called ‘Chiney’ sometime between March 12 and 13, 2004 at her D’Urban Street, Werk-en-Rust apartment. He was formally indicted before Justice La Bennett just over two weeks ago.
The prosecution led by state counsel, Faith McGusty contended that Alfred had threatened Paris on numerous occasions prior to her death and that sometime during the period mentioned he stabbed her in the neck. Parris was found with a knife in her neck on the morning or March 13.
During the trial witnesses testified to hearing Alfred threatening Parris. According to the testimony, he said things along the lines of: he would end her life, terminate her services and kill her.
In a statement he gave police which was admitted into evidence Alfred said he went to Parris’ home and that they were playing around in bed when she was stabbed. He said she stabbed him first and he retaliated by stabbing her. He said he then left the home and later turned himself into the police.
He also gave a brief a statement from the dock. He told the court, “I did not kill Cathedra Parris. I am innocent of this charge”.
State counsel Faith McGusty appeared for the prosecution while Alfred was represented by attorney-at-law Parmanand Mohanlall.
