Anguilla Killing: Darien Suspect Could Face Years Before Trial

DARIEN, CT — Despite his pleas for a speedy trial, it could be years before Darien resident Scott Hapgood could face a trial in the killing a hotel worker at an Anguilla hotel last April, writes the New York Post.

Hapgood appeared in court on Thursday as anger mounts on the Caribbean island, but because of Anguilla's small court system, the Post estimates it could be three years before a trial.

He faces manslaughter charges in the death of Kenny Mitchel, a Dominican man who was working at the Malliouhana hotel at the time.

The legal process will involve prosecutors presenting the case before a magistrates court, according to the Post, in what is called a preliminary inquiry.

That step, which is similar to a grand jury in the United States, is slated to begin on Sept. 9.

Original story: In the months since Mitchel was killed, Hapgood has steadfastly maintained that he acted in self-defense to not only protect himself but also his young daughters who were in the room at the time. Hapgood, who is a banker with UBS, his wife and his three children were on vacation on the island at the time.

On Thursday, Mitchel's half-brother Marshall Mitchel called for Hapgood to receive jail time in the killing, in part because he believes Hapgood could have let Mitchel go during the altercation, writes the Post.

The case is being followed closely on the island, where residents and politicians have questioned whether Hapgood acted in self-defense.

During a press conference in New York this week before he traveled to Anguilla for Thursday's hearing, Hapgood and his international attorney, Juliya Arbisman, expressed apprehension that he could get a fair trial on the island. But Hapgood said he has every intention to follow through with the island's legal process.

In recent days, information from a toxicology report has come out that Mitchel had cocaine, alcohol and other drugs in his system at the time of his death, reports the Stamford Advocate.

Thursday's hearing lasted about an hour and was closed to the public, according to the Post. Hapgood and Arbisman, who were accompanied by a bodyguard because Hapgood has received death threats, left the island following the hearing.

Before leaving the island, Hapgood read the following statement, which was later obtained by Patch:

"I am grateful for the opportunity to appear in Anguillan courts today because every court appearance means we are one step closer to putting this nightmare behind us – a nightmare for my family but also for the people of Anguilla. We came to your beautiful island for a vacation, just like many thousands of others do each year. We came here because of how welcoming you all are. Unfortunately, my family and I were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and in an instant a tragedy resulted that has changed our lives, and yours, forever…

"We all want the same thing: justice. For me, that means proving my innocence, and to that end I ask the Attorney General to bring a case swiftly so we can all move on and heal. We will continue to be trapped by delays when all we want is to present the evidence that conclusively proves my innocence.

"Lastly, to the people of Anguilla: I understand your anger. I've read the same false facts and untrue stories about what allegedly happened in that room on that fateful day in April. If I lived here and believed those stories, I'd be angry too. But the stories you've read and heard are not what happened, and someday I will be able to tell the real story in a legal setting. The sooner that day comes, the better. Thank you."

Click here to read the full story on the New York Post website.