Middle Region:--- Relatives and friends of slain Kimberly Illidge went after the suspects that stabbed her to death on March 24th, 2013. The two suspects were released on Thursday afternoon because the prison guards did not respect the conditions set by the judge of instruction when he extended their pre-trial detention. Several persons in the area went after "Eric" with a baseball bat to ensure they got justice for the death of the play school teacher. It is understood that Eric lives directly opposite the home of slain Kimberly Illidge and although Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos spoke to the family at length on Thursday when the judge of instruction ordered the release of the suspects, a huge commotion erupted Friday night and police were called to the scene.
It should be noted that while the two suspects Shaniska Brooks and one Eric of Jamaican decent were held at the Philipsburg holding cells, the detention and protection of suspects fall under the Director of the Prisons Edward Rohan and not the Police Management. SMN News learnt that one of the suspects was denied the educational classes that are set down by the judge of instruction. According to information reaching SMN News, the officer that was assigned to ensure that the suspect got his/her classes was busy with one of the two suspects at the time. Attorney General Taco Stein told SMN News that a decision was taken by his office and the Prosecutor's Office to appeal the decision of the Judge of Instruction. Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos told SMN News on Saturday that he filed the appeal on Friday because his office only has three days in which they could have appealed the decision of the judge of instruction. "Even though I know I could have done it on Monday I submitted the appeal on Friday and the arguments under which the Prosecution has appealed will be submitted to the court on Monday." Mos further explained that while the Prosecution can appeal the decision of the Judge of Instruction, they cannot appeal the conditions that were set by the judge of instruction when he ordered that they be placed in pre-trial detention.
Mos said that even though the two suspects were released, the Prosecution went one step further and asked the court to have the two suspects monitored by the Court of Guardianship which was granted. "Even though these suspects are out of jail for now, they still have to abide by the rules set down by the Court of Guardianship." SMN News asked Mos if he knew when the appeal would be heard, he said he could not say but the Attorney General has to convince the Common Court of Justice on Monday of the urgency of the case and what could be the possible outcome now that the suspects have been released. Mos said the two suspects have to follow a school program, a preacher visits them at least twice a week for their social and moral well-being, and they are also transported to the Pointe Blanche Prison facility for their recreation.
It should also be noted that one of the suspects is a flight risk because he is not from St. Maarten and while the Prosecution has filed an appeal there is nothing they can do until the outcome of the appeal is pronounced.
