Murder Trial Ordered for DR man accused of Killing Jamaican Chef  

By Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Reporter

#TurksandCaicos, July 17, 2023 – LUIS GUTIERREZ ROSARIO, the 24 year old Dominican man residing in Grand Turk who allegedly killed a 33 year old Jamaican chef, Stephen Asino Baker appeared before the Hon Chief Justice Mable Agyemang on the charge of murder.

Rosario’s sufficiency hearing proceeding was held on July 7th, 2023, the judge came back with a decision on the trial by July 12 and determined there is a case to be heard in the January stabbing of Baker.

The accused is represented by senior defence counsel Mr. Noel Skippings and for the office of the director of public prosecution, was, Public prosecutor Ms Sophia Sandy-Smith.

At the sufficiency hearing on Friday, Mr. Skippings raised objections to the sufficiency of the evidence with a view of having the matter dismissed against his client.

Ms. Sandy-Smith put forward her arguments and evidence on the papers in support of the Crown’s case.

The Hon Chief Justice reserved her decision for Wednesday 12th July, 2023. On that date, the matter was called again and the accused was committed to stand trial in the Supreme Court.

The CJ found there was evidence to send him to trial for the homicide that took place in Palm Grove, Grand Turk on January 15, 2023.

Baker, 33 was at the time employed at the Grand Turk Cruise Center at Margaritaville.

Rosario has been remanded since May 9, 2023.