MAR 06

The verdict was reached sixty-five (65) minutes after the jury had retired to deliberate on the evidence against the accused as put forward by the Prosecution before high court judge, Justice Kenneth Benjamin.

Bedeau was on trial for unlawfully killing his grandmother Sheila James on the morning of January 30, 2003 at her Beaulieu residence. Justice Benjamin in passing judgement on the accused made an order that he should be confined to the Richmond Hill prison until Court further decides.

The judge made the ruling at the conclusion of a mitigation plea put forward by attorney-at-law, Anslem Clouden who described Bedeau as an industrious young man and hard working tradesman who had it not been for his mental illness would have been on the positive side of life.

Clouden asked the Court to consider the testimony of the suspects's mother who appeared on behalf of the Prosecution during the two day trial. He urged the court to consider the description which she gave of her son as a good and caring person who had enjoyed a good relationship with his grandmother before chopping off her head.

Clouden told the Court that he believes Bedeau needs "effective care management" to ensure that he takes his medication on a continuous basis if he is to live as close as possible to a normal life.

"My Lord, people like Marlon (Bedeau) can be reintegrated into society if and only if proper and constant care and management is exercise", said the lawyer. During the trial, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Christopher Nelson called seven witnesses to give evidence against the accused.

The court was informed that the defendant was at home with his grandmother and nephew whom he awoke sometime after 8 o'clock that morning and told him that his great grandmother who lives a few yards from their house was calling him. It is reported that the nephew immediately went over to the house but was told that the lady never asked to see or speak with him.

The Case of the State is that when the nephew returned home to ask Marlon what was the matter, he saw the accused kneeling behind his grandmother with her back to his stomach. He observed that Marlon was using a saw to cut-off the neck of the deceased.

He said that when he made eye contact with the accused, Marlon made a funny sound which he had never heard before. The youngster ran out of the house in shock and alerted his neighbors of what was happening in the house.
Minutes later, Marlon emerged from the house with the deceased head in his hands and placed it on the ground before returning to the house.

The police were summoned to the area and the officers had to shoot Marlon in the leg in order to subdue him. He was then taken to the General Hospital in St. George's for medical attention. An official bulletin indicated that while the suspect was at the hospital, he said that he was thirsty and in need of blood and flesh.