ST. JOHN'S, Antigua (AP):
A JURY convicted five men of kidnapping and murdering a Jamaican man last year in Antigua in what prosecutors said was vengeance for stealing money from another man.
The jury acquitted four others and convicted one man of manslaughter Saturday night in the death of Owen Douglas, 22, who was beaten on March 10, 2002 and died two days later in a hospital.
SEEKING THE DEATH PENALTY
Henry Weekes, 36, Everett Crump, 40, Paul Ephraim, 40, Dale Christian, 25 and Kester Bailey, 25, were convicted of kidnapping and murdering Douglas. They had pleaded innocent to the charges.
Prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty in their cases. It was, however, unclear if defence lawyers would appeal the convictions.
The jury convicted Kenaz Whyte, 40, who prosecutors said was the gang's ringleader, of manslaughter.
REMANDED
Kareem Frederick, 22, Cleofoster Hunte, 35, Larry Kester, 30 and Randy Simon, 35, were acquitted of manslaughter. However, they were ordered to remain in custody to face additional charges of kidnapping and causing death by grievous bodily harm.
The jury took about five hours to deliberate in the High Court case.
