David Swain murder trial postponed

VIRGIN ISLANDS, U.K. (WPRI) - A judge in the British Virgin Islands has postponed the murder trial of David Swain

The former Jamestown Town Council member is accused of murdering his wife while on vacation in Tortola.

A judge Tuesday agreed to delay Swain's trial until February 2009, at the request of defense counsel. Mishka Jacobs, Swain's attorney, told the court her client needs time to secure funds for his defense.

“This case involves quite a bit of expert testimony from the [prosecution], and it is imperative for the defense to put forward expert testimony as well in order to secure a proper defense,” Jacobs said. “We are having quite a bit of difficulty in securing the necessary experts. The difficulty is financial on the part of the defense.”

Swain is charged with murdering his wife, Shelly Arden Tyre, on March 12, 1999, at The Sound, Cooper Island, while the two were on vacation. He was extradited to the British Virgin Islands in February and is now on remand at Her Majesty’s Prison, Balsam Ghut.