Remand extended for duo accused of Sherleytine Ernesta’s murder |26 August 2022

The two accused facing trial for the murder of 21-year-old Sherleytine Ernesta are set to re-appear before the Supreme Court on September 8.

The pair, 45-year-old Lusell Labiche and 18-year-old Ashten Elisabeth last month pled not guilty to the charges levied against them.

Labiche, who hails from Takamaka, faces two charges – the first of which is conspiracy to commit murder, and the charge of murder itself, while Elisabeth also pled not guilty to the charge of aiding and abetting a person to commit murder.

Both were formally charged on May 31 and made their pleas before the court on July 18, after the body of 21-year-old Sherleytine Ernesta was discovered during the morning hours at Bougainville on May 4, a mere couple of days after she was declared missing and last seen at the Anse Royale Fun Park.

The body was discovered by a group of police officers during a search operation, and Labiche was arrested the very same day. 

Elisabeth was subsequently arrested on June 6.

Chief Justice Rony Govinden, the presiding judge in the matter, has set the trial for early next year, from January 16 to February 24.

The first accused is being represented by defence attorney Clifford Andre, while Elisabeth has the legal representation of Vanessa Gill and Karine Dick.

Prosecution is being led by counsels Hemanth Kumar Muninadhan and Gulmette Leste.

Laura Pillay