Trial date set for Canadian man accused in death of St. Lucian boy

The trial of Sahab Jamshidi, the Ancaster man who has been charged with the drowning death of a four-year-old boy on the Caribbean Island of St Lucia, will begin May 3rd, 2016.

Jamshidi appeared before Justice Francis Cumberbatch at the High Court in the capital Castries on Wednesday.

He has been charged with causing death by gross negligence or recklessness which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. He pleaded not guilty to the charge during his arraignment on November 23, 2015.

​Prosecutors allege that Jamshidi carried Terrell Joshua Elibox into the sea on a surfboard last February and caused his death.

Jamshidi has said he tried to rescue the child after spotting him struggling in the water.

In March, Jamshidi’s mother, Roya Jamshidi told the CBC “I’m proud of my son that he did what it was right to do but he was unfortunate. He was in the wrong time in the wrong place. There was no other person there. So he doesn’t have any witnesses.”

Following the court appearance, his lawyer Alberton Richelieu said he would do the best he can to ensure that Jamshidi is acquitted.

“I am trying to get another witness who will help to secure an acquittal,” Richelieu said.

Jamshidi remains on 10,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars bail and is unable to leave the island after surrendering his passport to the local authorities.

Via stlucianewsonline.com