A MAN was told by a judge yesterday that he has three weeks to find legal representation before the court proceeds with setting a date for trial in his murder case.

Patrick Smith Jr., 27, had pleaded not guilty in a formal arraignment in the Supreme Court concerning the stabbing death of Tamara Matthews on December 22, 2013.

Yesterday’s hearing before Justice Vera Watkins was to determine when he will stand trial. However, the court was informed that Smith was still unrepresented by counsel.

The judge said she would give him until May 3 to resolve the issue of retaining a lawyer.

According to initial reports, sometime around 4:40am, Matthews was found dead in a residence at Kossy Harbour on West Bay Street.

Smith is charged with murder under Section 291 (1)(B) of the Penal Code, which does not attract the discretionary death penalty if a conviction is reached at the end of trial. He remains on remand at the Department of Correctional Services.

By Lamech Johnson

Tribune Staff Reporter

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