Hayde murder trial: Accused denies killing St John man

Murder accused Gabriel Shando Hayde has told the No. 3 Supreme Court that he did not shoot or kill Roger Moore and was elsewhere when the fatal incident occurred.

Hayde, 29, of Colleton Tenantry, St John, is charged with the murder of Moore, of Bath Land, St John, on August 18, 2020.

He said: “I ain’t went nowhere in no vehicle with no one. I never shot or killed Mr Roger Moore. I never wore a ski mask. (I) never had no firearm in relation to that matter.”

In an unsworn statement from the dock, Hayde said he was at a friend’s home in Blades Hill No. 1 on the day of the killing.

“Around midday on social media, we started seeing posts that someone had been shot in St John. At first, they were just posting a shooting. I did not know who it was, so I contacted my two brothers who live in St John and ask if they hear something happen up there. They told me they hear the talk but are not sure. I further continued to watch social media on my phone when I saw the post that a fella I knew as Bubbla had been killed. I know for sure that on that day I was at Blades Hill No. 1 with (calls friend’s name),” he stated.

In his testimony, Hayde recalled an incident on October 4, when he had stopped at a house on his way to a spring bath. He was in the bathroom when he heard voices and someone shout ‘police’ and upon exiting saw around seven police officers.

“They ask if me if I live here. I told them no. They told me some fellas now run out of the house. ‘Who are the fellas?’ I told dem ‘I do not live up here. I do not know any of de fellas’. The police then told me, ‘if you are not telling us who de fellas are at this house, anything we find at this house we will charge you for,’” he recalled.

Hayde testified that he was handcuffed and put on his knees as police searched the room, during which a gun was found.

Hayde stated that he was questioned further, during which an officer placed a plastic bag over his head and tightened it, causing him to struggle for air due to his asthma.

He alleged that another bag was later used and that he was struck in the ribs. After his arrest, he said police told him the weapon had been used in a murder and that they would find someone to place him at the scene.

Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Krystal Delaney and State Counsel Anastacia McMeo-Boyce represent the State. Defence attorney Safiya Moore appears for Hayde before Justice Carlisle Greaves.