Court splits Antigua honeymoon murder case

Two men will face separate trials for a killing spree that included a newly-wed British couple, a judge in Antigua ruled today.

Avie Howell and Kaniel Martin are accused of killing five people on the Caribbean island in 2008 including Catherine and Benjamin Mullany.

Mr and Mrs Mullany, who lived in Rhos near Pontardawe, near Swansea, south Wales, died after being shot at around 5am on July 27 2008, while in their chalet at the five-star Cocos Hotel.

Mrs Mullany, 31, a doctor, died instantly while her husband, also 31 and who was studying physiotherapy at the University of the West England in Bristol, was placed on a life-support machine.

He was flown back to Morriston Hospital in Swansea, the place where his wife was due to return to work before going to work as a GP, but died a week after the shooting.

A trial was scheduled for Antigua today but Justice Richard Floyd divided the cases.

The men will now go on trial on June 1 for the murder of the British couple and of a Jamaican shopkeeper. They will face a later trial in the killing of a Syrian and a college student.