Sahab Jamshidi, second from right, sits in court in St. Lucia on Wednesday with friends. His father, far left, was also by his side. (Shervon Alfred)
CBC NEWS - A Canadian man charged with the drowning death of a four-year-old St. Lucian boy appeared in court on the Caribbean island on Wednesday to hear the case against him.
Sahab Jamshidi of Ancaster appeared in High Court as the prosecution presented its evidence. He’ll be back in court on May 21, when his lawyer, Alberton Richelieu, will have a chance to challenge the prosecution case. After that, a judge will determine if he is to stand trial.
Jamshidi faces charges of death by gross negligence or recklessness after Terrel Joshua Elibox drowned on Feb. 22. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Jamshidi says he was kitesurfing and tried to rescue the boy after spotting him bobbing in the water of Bois Shadon beach in the southern town of Vieux Fort.
The boy’s family says Jamshidi took him on a kitesurfing ride.
The four-year-old’s body was found floating two days later off nearby Coconut Bay Beach.
Jamshidi studied medicine at Destiny University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in St. Lucia. When the incident happened, he was on holiday while he waited to hear back from medical residency applications. His family has set up a website, freesahab.com, devoted to his case.
He remains free on bail.