The trial of six St Michael men who allegedly engaged in a shootout with police five years ago has started in the High Court.
On Tuesday, a nine-member jury was selected to hear evidence against Adigun Rabbi Hinds, of 5A Maddison Terrace, Deacons; Malik Derick Fenty, of 2nd Avenue Redman Road, Deacons; Richad Barry Boyce, of 2nd Avenue Kellman Land, Black Rock; Richard Shamario Worrell, of Derriston Road, Grazettes; Ranako Kadeaine Brathwaite, of Fairfield Cross Road; and Rashad Justin Bowen, of Gilkes Land, Fairfield, Black Rock, who were charged following a shooting incident on May 20, 2018.
Hinds, Fenty, Boyce, Worrell and Bowen are jointly charged with recklessly discharging a firearm along Kew Road, Bank Hall, St Michael, a public place, which placed Jamal Williams, Dale Crichlow, Ryan Eversley and Markinson Chandler in danger of death or serious bodily harm. The five are also alleged to have used a firearm while committing the offence of endangering life.
All six of the defendants are accused of having four firearms in their possession, namely two 9 mm semi-automatic pistols and two .40 mm semi-automatic pistols, without a valid licence to do so, as well as 44 rounds of ammunition without the necessary permit.
Brathwaite, meanwhile, is separately accused of recklessly discharging a firearm along Kew Road, Bank Hall, St Michael, a public place, which placed Kevin Boyce and Jason Allman in danger of death or serious bodily harm. He is further charged with using a firearm while committing the offence of endangering life.
The accused all pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were arraigned in the No. 3 Supreme Court, presided over by Justice Carlisle Greaves, just before the jury was selected.
In his opening remarks to the jurors, Senior State Counsel Neville Watson alleged that the accused “shot at the police officers with lethal weapons . . . and placed [them] in danger of being killed or in danger of serious bodily harm”.
Two lawmen who were not among the virtual complainants in the case gave evidence on Tuesday. The case continues on Wednesday.
About 30 witnesses are scheduled to testify in the trial.
Worrell is represented by attorney-at-law Michael Lashley KC; Hinds has retained attorneys Angella Mitchell-Gittens and Kristen Vanderpool; Brathwaite has Simon Clarke as his defence counsel; Fenty is represented by attorneys Martie Garnes and Latisha Springer; Boyce’s lawyer is Kyle Watts; and Bowen’s defence is led by Justin Leacock.
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