Jurors empanelled to hear the trial of K’Moi Corraspe convicted him of murder, assault and weapons charges in connection with a four-year-old killing at Contant Knolls Housing Community, USVI Department of Justice Public Media Officer Corliss Smithen has announced. Photo: VI Consortium

ST. THOMAS, USVI — Jurors empanelled to hear the trial of K’Moi Corraspe convicted him of murder, assault and weapons charges in connection with a four-year-old killing at Contant Knolls Housing Community, USVI Department of Justice Public Media Officer Corliss Smithen has announced.

Following a full day of testimony and almost four hours of deliberation, the 12 men and women returned a unanimous verdict Thursday afternoon, April 26, 2019, finding Mr Corraspe, 24, of Contant Towers guilty of all eight counts he faced.

One count each of first-degree murder, first-degree assault, third-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and unauthorized possession or use of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a housing community, and three counts of unauthorized possession or use of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence – for the Dec. 10, 2015, shooting death of 23-year-old Kadeem John, according to the release.

USVI Superior Court Judge Michael Dunston has scheduled Mr Corraspe’s sentencing for May 29.

Justice Served

In commenting on the outcome of the trial, Attorney General Nominee Denise George said, “Justice has been served. I applaud Assistant Attorneys General Eugene James Connor III and Timothy Perry for their dedication and excellence in their performance of our service to our community.”

At trial, the prosecution team of Assistant Attorneys General Connor and Perry relied on the testimony of ten witnesses, including an eyewitness, to help prove its case.

In recounting the events of Dec. 10, 2015, the eyewitness, who lived at Contant Knolls Housing Community at the time of the killing, testified that sometime around 11 o’clock that night, she awoke from her sleep after hearing a group of boys outside making noise.

When she looked through her window, she saw a group of young men, including John, playing dice and gambling. Then about five minutes later, she saw Mr Corraspe walk up to the victim and the two began to wrestle. Mr Corraspe then pulled out a gun and shot John.

The eyewitness ran outside to render assistance to John and as she was watching the scene, Mr Corraspe ran away to a waiting vehicle and the vehicle sped away, the woman said. During the police investigation, the eyewitness positively identified Corraspe from a photo array as the man who shot and killed John.

Det. Nigel James, who was assigned to the case, told the court that during his investigation, several witnesses identified Mr Corraspe as John’s killer. Det. James petitioned for and obtained an arrest warrant charging Corraspe with the crime; however, Corraspe was not arrested because he could not be located, Det. James said