Andrew Armour’s Man Slaughter trial finally gets on the way

Almost 11 years after he was arrested and charged with “manslaughter” for the death of American student Casey-Ann Schulman on December 1, 2012, Andrew Armour is now facing a Judge and jury at the high court in Roseau.

Armour was piloting the boat “Passion” off the coast of Mero filled with American tourists when it struck the 22-year-old Schulman. At the time, the fourth-year foreign affairs major was part of a study at sea group of 54 students from the University of Virginia, who were visiting the island.

Police said the boat was slowly beginning to back up when its propeller came into contact with Schulman who was in the water.

She is said to have sustained major injuries to all parts of her body and was pronounced dead at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Roseau.

In her opening remarks to the jury, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Sherma Dalrymple told them that Armour’s “gross negligence” caused the death of Casey-Ann Schulman. She invited them to listen closely and intently to the witnesses who would be testifying in the matter.

A nine-member jury of two men and six women is hearing the case presided over by High Court Judge Colin Williams. Armour is represented by lawyer Zena Moore Dyer while the prosecuting team is led by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Sherma Dalrymple assisted by State attorneys Daina Matthew and Aline Alexander.

The State’s first witness was Inspector of police Simon Edwards who worked at the Marine Unit for 23 years. He said in the court that he was trained by the US Coast Guard, British Navy, and Dominica Marine Unit.

His area of training involves scuba diving, international engineering, operation and operation planning, damage control of vessels, and the repair of vessels and their homes among others. He was also the Commander of the Coast Guard Unit and had done an exam that you must get a 90% pass mark to become commander.

He was deemed an “expert in Maritime Navigation” by the court.