When we left you last night, 34 year old Leslie Pipersburgh and 32 year old Patrick Robateau were awaiting a verdict from a jury of 7 women and 5 men. Just after eight pm, the jury came out after deliberating for less than three hours.
The found the pair guilty of the murders of two KBH Security Guards, Kevin Alvarez and Fidel Mai.
7news was at the courthouse and here's the story:…
Jules Vasquez Reporting
Armed police stood guard in front of the courthouse yesterday evening. Pipersburg and Robateau displayed no emotion as they walked into court. And even after the guilty verdict was handed down, they were not overcome.
Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney for Pipersburg
"The jury are in charge of the facts. They saw that the case a certain way, whether I agree with them or not, based on the facts, that's the verdict of the jury. So I believe that the evidence was not there against Leslie Pipersburg has made their decision."
But things took a turn when police tried to chain them up. Bystanders rushed to the courtroom, but police had it under control. Pipersburg's legal aid attorney, Michael Peyrefitte explained.
Jules Vasquez
"Explain the scuffle that happened in court just now."
Michael Peyrefitte
"Well it wasn't really a scuffle. I know for a fact that during this trial, Crispin Jeffries, the Commissioner of Police, sent -- was ransacking cell of Leslie Pipersburg whenever he came to court. Mr. Jeffries personally went to to the prison. He heard that Leslie Pipersburg was using a cell phone. He went; he searched the cell phone, the history of everything, because he believed that they were committing threats. The prisoners are usually transported to and from the courthouse in regular handcuffs but tonight the sergeant indicated to us that they needed to be in full chains, like a chain-gang, which was totally unnecessary. And when I asked one of the officers who was in plain uniform, why that was necessary. He told me to back off and not get involved, and of course I will not put up with any idiotic police officer."
But the police kept order and there would be no replay of what happened when the pair was first convicted in March 2004. Here's a look back at that. Almost exactly 7 years later, they were cool. Pipersburg did emerge in chains, as did Robateau, and they both went calmy back unto the bus, for the long ride back to the prison. Where they will be sentenced to serve out a life term.
Michael Peyrefitte
"The Crown did not ask for the death sentence so, more than likely, it will be life sentence both convicted individuals."
Jules Vasquez
"Do you feel you have grounds for appeal?"
Michael Peyrefitte
"Absolutely, we have grounds for appeal but like i said, I don't know if he wants to appeal, and I am not sure I'm going to be doing the appeal."
The pair will be sentenced next week Friday, but - as their attorney said - they will get a life sentence. It was a retrial, after the pair had been convicted of four counts in March of 2004 - and the Privy Council allowed their appeal and ordered a retrial.
On the retrial, their attorneys made a no case submission for the murders of Cherry Tucker and David Flores - which trial Judge Adolph Lucas allowed.
