The long-awaited murder trial of Delano Forbes, the accused in four killings across Antigua, has been scheduled to begin on July 18.
The high-profile case, which has faced numerous delays, will finally proceed more than seven years after Forbes was initially charged.
The trial was originally set to commence on Tuesday but was postponed once more.
Forbes was first charged in 2017 for the murders of three men — Wilfred “Bongo” Williams in Swetes, Shawn Henry in Point, and Lisue Williams on All Saints Road. An additional murder charge was filed in 2018 for the killing of Maurison Thomas in All Saints.
The accused, now in his late 20s, gained notoriety and the moniker “Vampire Killer” following allegations that he drank his victims’ blood.
During his arrest, investigators reportedly discovered two bottles containing what appeared to be blood near his residence in Swetes.
In 2022, the defence challenged his competency to stand trial. However, Psychiatrist Dr Griffin Benjamin provided expert testimony, concluding that Forbes had no disabilities that would prevent him from understanding or participating in trial proceedings.
The psychiatrist noted that while Forbes exhibited signs of anti-social personality disorder, the condition was not severe enough to render him incompetent.
Forbes subsequently pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
