Caught in a crossfire? Matthew D. Hazell claims innocence
Hazell was not allowed to plead to the indictable offences but the court heard his side of the story. He is now nursing a wound in one of his shoulders and carrying one arm in a sling and has plaster on the forehead all resulting from gunshots.
Attorney At Law Mrs Valerie Stephens-Gordon told the court that her client was proceeding to the said bank on the night of February 16, 2015 to make a withdrawal at the ATM machine. Shortly after disembarking his car he heard gunshots ringing out and he was caught in the midst of it consequently being wounded.
She told the court that there were others in the area at the time and like her client, they all ran for shelter. She said that her client has advised that it was in the process of running from the sounds of gunshot that he felt himself being shot but had kept on running.
But representing the prosecution in the matter Attorney at Law Ms Chantel Flax told the court the information as reported by the police officer involved – police sergeant Darville Carty who is a firearm instructor locally.
The court heard from Ms Flax in laying out the allegations that the police officer had collected the day’s proceeds from One Mart Supa Store on the night in question.
He proceed to the said bank to make the deposit and it was after he had opened the night deposit box and returned to his vehicle to collect the money package/s that he was confronted by a lone, movie style masked man brandishing a gun.
It is alleged that the person wearing a scary mask pointed a gun to the police officer’s head and demanded money. The gunman reported fired a shot which the cop managed to dodge.
As the masked gun man demanded money the officer allegedly asked him what money he was asking about and a second shot was fired by the gunman. It was at that time that the police officer told the would-be bandit that the money was in the car which he then proceeded to search but came up empty handed.
He re-approached the cop again but by this time the officer had armed himself with his legal firearm and started to discharge shots and the would-be bandit ran off with the cop in hot pursuit of him.
According to the prosecution it was in the vicinity of the Palm Grove building that the gunman shot again at the police officer who returned fire resulting in the accused falling to the ground at which time he took off his mask.
The bandit still with his gun in hand got up and started running again and in a lit area he turned around and shot at the police again and it was then his identity was recognized by the police officer.
The accused managed to outrun the police officer who subsequently made a report of the incident. Following processing the scene by the experts a revolver handgun was found along with the mask and several empty cartridges and live rounds.
Hazell was discovered at Peebles Hospital that very night and at the time when questioned by police officers, he did not reply.
After being discharged from hospital on February 24, 2015 he was taken to the Road Town Police Station and interviewed. The investigators are to conduct forensic testing.
While Hazell was remanded to prison he is scheduled to return to court on April 24, 2015 at which time his lawyer is likely to make a bail application.
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39 Responses to “Caught in a crossfire? Matthew D. Hazell claims innocence”
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