St Maarten PM Meets with Relatives of US Couple Slain in their Caribbean Vacation Home

The leader of St. Maarten has met with relatives of a U.S. couple fatally stabbed last year in their beachfront vacation home.

Relatives of Michael and Thelma King met with Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams after the close of hearings for the double-murder trial in the Dutch Caribbean country. A judge is expected to announce the verdict for the lead defendant and two other suspects on May 8.

In a Sunday statement, Wescot-Williams said she was "humbled" to spend a few hours with the Kings' relatives. She says they have encouraged friends to visit the tourism-dependent country despite the slayings.

She says the "whole island was shocked at what happened and every single person was relieved" when the suspects were arrested. The Kings were from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

Source: Associated Press