Rory
08-03-06, - 02:58 AM
http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=45&a=9611
Accused Shown “Confessing” To Bimini Murders
By Courtnee Romer
Jurors watched a videotape yesterday showing Frederick Francis apparently confessing to the murder of visiting Austrian couple Bernhard Bolzano and his fiancée Barbara Frelin von Perfall last July.
The prosecution entered the tape and corresponding transcripts as evidence.
While giving testimony, Police Inspector Sanford Innis said he had filmed the accused giving the police details of the crime scene in one of two recorded sessions. The first showed Sergeant Daryl Rolle and Inspector Cleophas Cooper interviewing Francis on July 26, 2005 – a few days after the double murders - around 4:15pm. At that time, he gave a verbal and written confession, the court heard.
Inspector Innis said during the first interview Francis appeared normal and did not complain.
The murder accused appeared to show no emotion as watched his videotaped confession being shown in court. On the tape, Francis told police of how he had walked to the Bimini Blue Water Resort around 2am on July 23, 2005 and entered room six through the unlocked sliding door.
An apparently calm Francis told of how the woman awoke first and then the man and that he had ordered the woman not to scream. Continuing with his statement, Francis told police of how he had asked the couple for money but at first was told that they did not have any to give.
After threatening the couple, the woman - von Perfall - handed the perpetrator $40 and some Euro coins, but the latter was refused, according to what Francis recounted on the videotape.
During the officers’ interrogation of him, Francis then said he asked the man - Bolzano - if he had a condom and after taking it from him raped the female companion. He also admitted to placing a pillow on the man’s back and shooting him. Francis said he shot the woman next, after placing a pillow over her chest.
Following the slayings, Francis told officers that he went home and disposed of the shotgun, ammunition and a pouch containing items belonging to the couple.
The second video taped recording was made on the same day as the first and showed a shackled Francis leading officers to room 6 of the Bimini Blue Water Resort and walking them through the sequence of events that transpired on the day of the murders.
Upon cross-examining the police inspector, Francis’ attorney Carlson Shurland said he noted several words in the transcript that seemed to be incomplete and he asked the witness - who was also the crime scene supervisor - what it meant.
Inspector Innis said in one instance, when the accused was saying the word "bimi" he had took it to mean he was talking about the word Bimini.
It lead Mr. Shurland then ask the inspector if he was interpreting what his client was about to say. Inspector Innis replied ‘yes’ because he thought that was what the accused was attempting to convey. He also said under further questioning that he was not able to hear some parts of the recording during play back.
Responding to further defence questioning, Inspector Innis acknowledged that he had visited the crime scene prior to the accused and could have found it without Francis’ assistance.
Mr. Shurland then questioned if the inspector was reinforcing Francis’ confession with what he already knew, to which the inspector said he "did not."
The trial is scheduled to resume today.
Accused Shown “Confessing” To Bimini Murders
By Courtnee Romer
Jurors watched a videotape yesterday showing Frederick Francis apparently confessing to the murder of visiting Austrian couple Bernhard Bolzano and his fiancée Barbara Frelin von Perfall last July.
The prosecution entered the tape and corresponding transcripts as evidence.
While giving testimony, Police Inspector Sanford Innis said he had filmed the accused giving the police details of the crime scene in one of two recorded sessions. The first showed Sergeant Daryl Rolle and Inspector Cleophas Cooper interviewing Francis on July 26, 2005 – a few days after the double murders - around 4:15pm. At that time, he gave a verbal and written confession, the court heard.
Inspector Innis said during the first interview Francis appeared normal and did not complain.
The murder accused appeared to show no emotion as watched his videotaped confession being shown in court. On the tape, Francis told police of how he had walked to the Bimini Blue Water Resort around 2am on July 23, 2005 and entered room six through the unlocked sliding door.
An apparently calm Francis told of how the woman awoke first and then the man and that he had ordered the woman not to scream. Continuing with his statement, Francis told police of how he had asked the couple for money but at first was told that they did not have any to give.
After threatening the couple, the woman - von Perfall - handed the perpetrator $40 and some Euro coins, but the latter was refused, according to what Francis recounted on the videotape.
During the officers’ interrogation of him, Francis then said he asked the man - Bolzano - if he had a condom and after taking it from him raped the female companion. He also admitted to placing a pillow on the man’s back and shooting him. Francis said he shot the woman next, after placing a pillow over her chest.
Following the slayings, Francis told officers that he went home and disposed of the shotgun, ammunition and a pouch containing items belonging to the couple.
The second video taped recording was made on the same day as the first and showed a shackled Francis leading officers to room 6 of the Bimini Blue Water Resort and walking them through the sequence of events that transpired on the day of the murders.
Upon cross-examining the police inspector, Francis’ attorney Carlson Shurland said he noted several words in the transcript that seemed to be incomplete and he asked the witness - who was also the crime scene supervisor - what it meant.
Inspector Innis said in one instance, when the accused was saying the word "bimi" he had took it to mean he was talking about the word Bimini.
It lead Mr. Shurland then ask the inspector if he was interpreting what his client was about to say. Inspector Innis replied ‘yes’ because he thought that was what the accused was attempting to convey. He also said under further questioning that he was not able to hear some parts of the recording during play back.
Responding to further defence questioning, Inspector Innis acknowledged that he had visited the crime scene prior to the accused and could have found it without Francis’ assistance.
Mr. Shurland then questioned if the inspector was reinforcing Francis’ confession with what he already knew, to which the inspector said he "did not."
The trial is scheduled to resume today.