Acting Chief Magistrate Dexter Wason has scheduled a new court date for Alexta Francis, the 26-year-old man accused of murdering former St Peter MP, Asot Michael.
Francis appeared in St John’s Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for the second time since his arrest.
During the hearing, the prosecution requested an adjournment, citing that the case file was still under review by investigators.
According to state media, this delay sparked criticism from Francis’ attorney, Leon Symister, who called out the authorities for what he described as “the fastest arrest in history” but a sluggish case preparation process.
Police reports indicate that 54-year-old Michael was found stabbed to death in his Dry Hill home on November 5 last year. Within just three days, law enforcement officers arrested and charged Francis with murder.
Since his initial court appearance, Francis has been remanded at His Majesty’s Prison (HMP), where he is being held under maximum security in separate quarters, away from other inmates. Reports suggest that Francis has confessed to the crime, though the motive remains unclear.
However, before his arrest, UK-based Scotland Yard officers were expected to assist local investigators in gathering additional evidence concerning Michael’s killing and two other brutal murders.
Michael’s death has beenrecorded as the first murder of a sitting member of parliament in the Antigua and Barbuda’s history.
Francis will return to court on May 29 for his next committal hearing, during which the magistrate will determine if he should stand trial in the High Court.
