Canadian on attempted murder charge granted bail

Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter

PAUL MARTIN, the 41-year-old Canadian teacher who is accused of attempting to murder his Canadian wife, has been granted bail in the sum of $500,000 with a surety.

Supreme Court judge Donald McIntosh, after hearing a bail application yesterday in chambers at the Supreme Court, offered him bail and imposed strict conditions to it.

Yesterday was the sixth time that a bail application was made.

The judge also granted a change of venue after reviewing affidavits presented by Martin's lawyers, Jacqueline Samuels Brown, QC, Bert Samuels and Roxanne Mars. The affidavits, which were signed by several residents in Trelawny, disclosed that prejudicial statements were being made against Martin in that parish and there was no certainty he would get a fair trial.

heading to hanover

Justice McIntosh granted the application for a change of venue from the Trelawny Circuit Court to the Hanover Circuit Court.

Martin is to return to court on June 15.

It is alleged that Martin attempted to murder his 38-year-old wife, Canadian bank manager Cathy Lee Glayson, along a deserted road near Falmouth on December 23 last year. The Crown is alleging that reports of martial infidelity on the part of the complainant was the motive for the alleged murder attempt.

The couple were on their way to the airport after vacationing in Jamaica when Martin drove on to a deserted road and allegedly used a knife to cut the complainant to the front of her neck. She managed to escape and was assisted by residents.

Justice McIntosh, in granting bail, ordered that Martin must not be seen within 200 yards of his wife. Martin is to report to the police every other day. He is to reside in Coral Gardens, St James, and is to surrender his travel documents to the police.