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April 27, 2006
Deaf murder accused pleads guilty to manslaughter
A partially deaf man accused of murder only pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter after he was informed by the judge hearing the case that he would not be further incarcerated for the crime.
Nigel "Spidey" Lucas, who celebrated his 36th birthday yesterday, has already spent more than seven years in jail, equivalent to 12 prison years, awaiting trial. He will be sentenced on Monday.
In an unusual hearing, defence attorney Keith Scotland submitted to Justice Joan Charles in the Port of Spain Second Criminal Court at the Hall of Justice that because of the client's deteriorating hearing impediment Lucas could not face a full trial for murder even if he was given the latest digital hearing aid.
A qualified audiologist, Mary Springer, had earlier testified that Lucas was not faking his ability not to hear properly and noted that exposure to a simple viral infection or loud music could cause the prisoner to become completely deaf.
Lucas, of Sherwood Park, Arima, admitted that he stabbed Troy Webb to death during a bar fight during Jouvert celebration on Carnival Monday (February 15), 1999 in the eastern borough.
By The Associated Press
Posted by 4HL on April 27, 2006 11:26 AM
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