Hamilton man’s case delayed again in St. Lucia
He awaits sentencing after an unexpected guilty plea in drowning of a four-year-old boy
The sentencing of a Hamilton man in St. Lucia has been delayed for a second time.
Sahab Jamshidi, 35, pleaded guilty in January to gross negligence causing death in relation to the February 2015 drowning of a four-year-old boy on the Caribbean island.
His sentencing was adjourned Feb. 3 until this week to give both sides time to complete paperwork.
On Friday, it was put off yet again because the prosecution had not completed its written submissions in the case.
It will now be at least another two weeks before Jamshidi learns his fate.
T. J. Elibox, 4, had been at Bois Shadon Beach in Vieux Fort, on the south side of the island, with his maternal grandmother and her church group for a picnic on Feb. 22, 2015.
It was here — where he was being watched by a teenager while his grandmoth- er cleaned fish — that the small boy drowned in the choppy waters of the Atlantic Ocean. His body washed ashore a few days later. The church group alleged Jamshidi — who had been at the beach that day kitesurfing with friends for his birthday — had tak- en the child out for a ride and dropped him.
But Jamshidi had long insisted — for close to two years, up until his guilty plea — that he first spotted the boy from his board out in the water and called for help, even co-ordinating a search party on the beach.
It is unclear what led him, on Jan. 24 just two days into his long-awaited trial, to shift and enter an unexpected guilty plea. His family and legal team have declined to comment on the case until it is finalized.
It’s unclear at this point whether a deal was made with the prosecution.
T.J. Elibox’s mother, Jowella Roserie, was in court Friday.
She too declined to speak to the media until after the sentencing.
Jamshidi was told to return to court on Feb. 23.
The judge stressed to the court the sentencing will take place this time.