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It’ll be another three weeks before an Ancaster doctor, charged in the drowning death of a four year old boy in St. Lucia, will learn whether his case will go to trial. Sahab Jamshidi appeared in court there today.
It’s been more than two months since he was charged in the drowning death of 4-year old Terrel Elibox, and today he was told he’ll have to wait another 3 weeks before he learns if he’ll face trial in St. Lucia
Family and friends, who’ve flown to the island to support him, say it was better news than they were anticipating. “We were expecting it to get adjourned to 2-3 months, so the fact that it is only 3 weeks is a positive” says Stephen Verbeek, a friend of Jamshidi’s.
The 34-year old doctor has been charged with recklessly endangering the boy’s life, similar to a Canadian manslaughter charge – which could mean life in prison. Jamshidi completed his medical degree in St. Lucia, and belongs to a local kitesurfing club there. He was taking a vacation before starting his residency elsewhere.
There are conflicting stories about what happened on February 22nd. Police allege Jamshidi took the boy out into the water on his kite board, Jamshidi says he was out kite surfing when he saw the boy struggling in the rough waters – and he tried to help. Four people drowned in St. Lucia that weekend.
The defence still hasn’t seen any evidence against him. “So we have literally no idea what they have, that is potentially backing their accusations” says Mr. Verbeek. They’re trying to remain optimistic. “They are always preparing for the worst but hoping for the best… May 13th we could get smacked with some terrible news and it goes to trial and he’s looking at anywhere between 3-15 years for a trial here.”
Jamshidi will be back in court on May 13th, and they are hoping there will be enough information provided to his lawyer before that so that he can prepare a case for him. They say their biggest fear is that the case will be drawn out for months – or years
