BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CURRENTLY serving a life sentence for committing a capital offence, Wycliffe ‘Wicked’ Liburd appeared before the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) yesterday (Mar. 15) where his appeal against conviction was scheduled for hearing; but it turns out he would have to wait until later this year for it to be heard.
Liburd was convicted of the cold-blooded gunning down Charles ‘Abaloo’ Matthew in broad daylight at Lower Shaw Avenue, McKnight on April 18, 2008.
Evidence produced during the trail was that Liburd approached Matthew in an alley requisitioning him for money, and when the deceased indicated that he had none Liburd shot him.
Matthew ran from the area to escape further injury but was pursued and caught by Liburd who further shot him several times following a tussle.
Despite Liburd’s insistence that he played no part in Matthew’s death - so much so that he was not even near the scene when the murder occurred - he was convicted during the May 2009 Criminal Assizes by a 12-member jury and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.
Liburd appeared before Justices of Appeal (JA) the Honourables Davidson Baptiste, Janice Pereira and Mario Michel and indicated that he was not in a position to proceed with the matter at that time.
A self-represented Liburd further told the Appellate Court that he had received his documents in mid-February and would appreciate if the matter were traversed.
Director of Public Prosecution – respondent in the matter – also indicated to the court that she received her documents in late February.
As per Liburd’s request, the JAs traversed his matter and it is now scheduled for hearing during the November 26 – 30 sitting of the ECSC.
