Alberto Rosa De La Rosa was hit in mouth with bottle – Witness testifies
The witness, Garfield Adams, a belonger of the Virgin Islands, was among the final persons testifying on behalf of the Crown.
He acknowledged being familiar with the accused and on the night in question he recalled seeing him on the inside of the bar.
‘Mucho problem’
He told the court that he had also seen the deceased, Familia, and recalled at one instance the victim speaking to a few friends in Spanish when he clearly remembered him saying, “Mucho Problem.”
He related other events that reportedly occurred in the bar including an incident where Familia ‘rushed’ Pi Yoyo but was pulled back by two others who attempted to restrain him. He said as Familia was a “robust and strong guy” he reached forward and grabbed a bottle that was on the bar and threw it at Pi Yoyo. He said the bottle hit the accused on his mouth.
Mr Adams told the court that the accused put his hand on his mouth when he noticed that he was bleeding and, according to Adams, in a matter of about 10 seconds the accused rushed the victim. He said at that time he couldn’t see the accused hands but recalled the victim’s friends holding on to him and telling him to behave.
“The thing happened so fast I never see him “juk” him with a knife,” testified the witness. Adams said that he left the inside of the bar and proceeded to his vehicle and while on the way someone threw a pools ball which landed on his truck. He said he turned back and recalled seeing Pi Yoyo behind him.
It was at that stage he said he noticed the accused had lots of blood on his hand and mouth. “That’s the only time I knew he had a knife…. He had it in his hand,” said the witness.
Other witnesses had also testified in the trial yesterday, including one who recalled the victim and the accused exchanging words. That witness had told the court that the accused had told the victim words to the effect, “Look what I have for you,” referring to the knife and the victim had responded, “You are not going to do anything with that,” after which the victim picked up a bottle and threw it at the accused.
The trial continues.