Whitmore’s trial to begin next Wednesday
WESTERN BUREAU — The trial of national footballer Theodore Whitmore, who is facing a manslaughter charge arising out of the death of his team-mate Steven “Shorty” Malcolm, will begin in the Trelawny Circuit court next Wednesday.
The date was set yesterday, after Crown Counsel Tanya Lobban told the court that the Crown and the Defence have agreed to start the trial on November 13.
After the disclosure, Justice Lennox Campbell, who is presiding over the case, extended Whitmore’s $200,000 bail with surety.
Whitmore was arrested and charged in June, after a six-member, all female jury found him criminally responsible for Malcolm’s death, which occurred last January.
Malcolm was travelling in Whitmore’s Toyota Grande motor car when the vehicle crashed in an embankment on the Spring Hill main road in Trelawny.
There have been conflicting reports on who was driving the car at the time of the accident and an inquest was started in April to decide if charges were to be laid against anyone.
After the verdict a warrant was issued for Whitmore’s arrest.
Two days later when he appeared in the Duncans Resident’s Court, Whitmore was granted $200,000 bail with surety and his case transferred to the Trelawny Circuit Court.
Last Monday when Whitmore appeared in court the trial failed to get off the ground because the case file was not ready.
But, Lobban said yesterday that the outstanding matters on the file have been addressed and she would be ready to proceed with the case next Wednesday.
Montego Bay attorney, George Thomas is representing Whitmore.