Accused recalls how limers armed with rocks, bottles and wood fought Callender

Murder-accused Shawn Andre Weekes has given his account of what happened on the day Leo Callender was shot and killed at the Crane, St Philip.

Weekes’ unsworn statement from the dock, came after the prosecution closed its case in the trial being heard in the No. 3 Supreme Court before Justice Carlisle Greaves.

The Crane resident is accused of murdering 24-year-old Callender on October 29, 2000 at a shop in the area.

Weekes recalled being on the block “liming and relaxing with a bunch of guys”. He said Callender and another guy passed the block and Callender waved an orange-handled scissors and said ‘I’m coming back for ya’ll just now’. The deceased continued toward the shop as Weekes and the other guys on the block cursed him.

According to the accused, he and the guys on the block took up rocks, bottles and some wood and walked in the direction of the same shop.

When Callender saw them approaching he got up and pulled out the scissors “to defend himself”. Weekes said someone lashed at Callender with a piece of wood and he raised his hand to “block” it.

At some point Weekes said he threw a bottle which hit Callender.

“Everybody with me start rushing in…fighting,” he said. He recalled that when a big and tough man, approached with a cutlass, Weekes said “everyone scattered”.

“I ran back to the direction of the block and heard explosions from by the shop; a few minutes later I hear men saying [Callender] got shot by the shop,” he concluded.

Callender’s mother also gave evidence today. She left the court in tears, wailing loudly after recounting how she was informed about her son’s shooting.

Senior Crown Counsel Neville Watson appears for the Crown while Dr Lenda Blackman represents the accused. Closing addresses are expected to be heard tomorrow before Justice Greaves sums up the case for the jury.