Lawyer says his client gave no statements to police in murder probe

Police travelled to Vaucluse, St Thomas for a second time on March 14, 2014 accompanied by murder accused Andrew Harclyde Pollard where they discovered the body of Onicka Gulliver. Police claimed the visit followed statements allegedly made to them by the accused.

But Pollard, of Mahaica Gap, Green Hill, St Michael through his attorney-at-law Sydney Pinder today “strenuously” denied any statements allegedly made by him to police during their investigations which led to the body, saying he “never made them”.

The position came as the lead investigator acting Station Sergeant Trevor Reece gave evidence in the No. 2 Supreme Court as Pollard’s trial continued this morning before a 12-member jury and Justice Randall Worrell.

Pollard, who is in his 30s, is accused of murdering 23-year-old Gulliver between March 11 and 14, 2014.

Officer Reece revealed that on March 11 the deceased woman’s mother came in and reported to police that she had been missing and investigations started. After having a conversation with another officer Reece went to Waterford Bottom, St Michael and carried out a search. One slipper, a single earring and an earring back were found. The deceased’s mother identified them as her daughter’s.

Reece said he returned to the police station where he saw Pollard and questioned him about the report made by Gulliver’s mother.

“I did not go down by she that night, so I don’t want no lawyer,” Pollard is reported to have said, after he was told of his rights and cautioned.

His lawyer interjected and told the court, “We are strenuously objecting to all and every statement.”

The judge noted the objection but said the matter was an issue on which the jury had to decide.

Officer Reece, under questioning by Deputy Director of Public Prosecution Alliston Seale, said Pollard told him in the presence of another officer that he and Gulliver were having an argument when she began hitting him while he was driving. He said he defended himself by hitting Gulliver twice in the neck area and “left her in some bushes in St Thomas”.

However, he told police that Pinder informed him not to sign “anything” unless he read it.

Pollard then directed police to the St Thomas area where he allegedly left the woman.

Pinder told the court again: “He never made the statements we are strenuously objecting to them.” Again the judge said that was for the jury to decide.

Officer Reece said police searched the area where Pollard sent them but, “We did not find a body,” and so they returned to the station.

Pollard allegedly told them when informed: “No man I not trying to trick you she up there.” The lawyer objected to that statement as well.

The following day on March 14 the police, along with Pollard, went to Vaucluse for a second time and he pointed out the area. A female body was discovered covered with coconut palm.

Reece said Pollard dictated a statement to police but refused to sign it after his lawyer arrived.