Calvin Osbourne murder trial begins

Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Alliston Seale SC has called on the 12-member jury in the murder trial of Calvin Osbort Osbourne to focus squarely on the evidence and avoid speculation.

Osbourne, of Lower Bridge Gap, Cave Hill, St Michael, is accused of murdering 44-year-old Gregory Adams, of the same address, on October 18, 2020.

Addressing the jury—comprising eight women and four men—in the No. 4 Supreme Court on Tuesday, Seale said the State’s case is that Osbourne’s actions during a domestic dispute played a “substantial role” in Adams’ death.

“Do not become concerned about the other person…. At the end of the day, your focus is on him and the part he played. The State’s case is simply saying that on that day, there was a fracas in the house that he and Gregory Adams lived in, and basically, he did not start it but he participated, and his actions caused the death of Gregory Adams. You have to determine, after looking at all the evidence, what that contribution led to. The State is saying that his contribution played a substantial role in causing the death of Gregory Adams,” the prosecutor contended.

“Do not speculate on evidence you do not have,” Seale further stressed, insisting they listen with unbiased minds.

Consultant pathologist Dr David Gaskin, testifying for the prosecution, said a post-mortem revealed Adams sustained 22 wounds across his face, head, neck, right shoulder, arms, chest, left side, and lower back. He described most of the injuries as incise wounds—long, shallow cuts—with the most serious being a stab wound to the neck.

During cross-examination by attorney Sian Lange, who represents Osbourne, Dr Gaskin said moderate force was used for the majority of the wounds, and the neck injury was a result of moderate to severe force due to the depth of penetration.

Also testifying was police photographer Sergeant Richard Bailey, who presented a 52-page photo album to the jury as part of the prosecution’s evidence.

Madam Justice Laurie-Ann Smith-Bovell is presiding over the trial.