McLEAN MURDER TRIAL: Hearing adjourned as accused searches for 10th attorney
Published:Thursday | February 8, 2018 | 12:00 AM
Livern Barrett, Senior Gleaner Writer
High Court judge Bertram Morrison this morning adjourned the trial of St Thomas man Michael McLean to allow the accused killer to get a new attorney.
The adjournment came after McLean again insisted in court that he does not want to be represented by attorney-at-law Carlton Collman.
McLean told the court that he wants to retain the services of well-known criminal defence attorney Christopher Townsend.
Justice Bertram Morrison, who is presiding over the trial, acceded to the request.
The trial was adjourned to allow McLean to contact Townsend.
Morrison, however, pointed out that since 2008 McLean has changed nine attorneys and warned that if Townsend is not available, the trial would continue.
This morning, Collman, who has been representing the accused since 2016, renewed his application to withdraw from the trial, but Morrison refused to grant his request.
McLean is on trial for killing six people, including four children, in St Thomas in February 2006.
A post-mortem report tendered as evidence in the trial indicated that the throats of five of them were slashed while the other victim was suffocated.
We want to hear from you! Send us a message on WhatsApp at 18765508783, email us at editors@gleanerjm.com or onlinefeeback@gleanerjm.com.