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UPDATE - Alleged killer boasted of "tricking" Police

- watched police interview with a friend
McKelly appeared in the Magistrate’s Court this morning, June 25, 2012. Photo: VINO
He is an American citizen with British status. Photo: VINO
He is an American citizen with British status. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – After he was first picked up and questioned in the shooting of Kareem Sebastian in 2008, Jessroy McKelly allegedly watched the DVD of himself being interrogated by police officers with a friend and boasted how he tricked them.

This is according to Senior Crown Counsel Valston Graham this morning June 25, 2012, as he outlined the facts surrounding the murder of Sebastian. He died at the Peebles Hospital on May 27, 2009. The cause of death revealed he suffered sepsis due to paralysis from the gunshot wounds.

McKelly, who was unrepresented, was not required to plea to the murder charge, but informed Senior Magistrate Valerie Stephens that he will be applying for legal aid. “This is a serious matter,” he told the court.

The American citizen is the triggerman, who allegedly on August 24, 2008, shot Sebastian multiple times while he was hanging out with his friends at the entrance of Crabbe Lot, also known as the ghetto. The shooting occurred around 7:55 p.m.

An anonymous call was made to Road Town Police Station Police notifying them of four gunshots being heard in the Crabbe Lot area. When they arrived on the scene four spent shells and a fragment were recovered.

Following investigations, McKelly was the prime suspect for the shooting and on August 25, 2008, he was arrested but was released without being charged.

Two eyewitnesses came forward

Police was able to crack the case based on information they received from two eyewitnesses, the court heard.

One of them was sitting with Sebastian when he was shot. According to him, a male with a gun came out from behind a garbage bin and fired the first round in Sebastian’s face. The masked shooter then lowered his gun and pumped three more into the victim’s lower body. When Sebastian fell, more shots were fired into his back area, Senior Crown Counsel Graham stated.

The witness said he recognised the features of McKelly despite the mask since he and the defendant grew up together.

“It is alleged that either the gun ran out of bullets or was jammed...McKelly shouted dead and ran off in the Main Street direction,” Graham added.

A second witness, who knows McKelly as Lion, said he was home on the evening of the shooting when the accused man came to his home and allegedly declared that he was going to “throw in” Sebastian. McKelly allegedly told him to listen out for gunshots. The 26 year-old defendant allegedly showed the witness the gun that he was going to kill Sebastian with.

Shortly after McKelly left, the witness claimed he listened out for gunshots and heard about three to four gunshots in quick succession about 20 minutes later.

The witness further told Police about 45 minutes after the shooting, McKelly allegedly came back to his homes and announced that he just “throw in” Sebastian. The witness recounted that McKelly revealed he took a shower, changed his clothing and used “something” to remove the gunpowder residue from his body.

McKelly also allegedly disclosed that he wanted to “throw in” Sebastian’s brother, who was hanging out with Sebastian at the time. It was implied that the only reason he was not targeted was because the gun was automatic and it emptied out into Sebastian so no more bullets were left for him.

The court heard that following his initial interview with the Police on August 25, 2008, the US citizen, who has British status, dropped by so that he and his friend [the witness] could watch the interview on how he “schooled the police”.

In light of these statements, on June 22, 2012, McKelly was arrested and a few hours later was officially charged with Sebastian’s murder.

Meanwhile, Senior Crown Counsel Graham stated that the file is completed. Cognizant of the fact that McKelly does not have a lawyer, Senior Magistrate Valerie Stephen has set the matter for mention on July 13, 2012 at which time the defendant would have likely sorted out his legal representation.

28 Responses to “UPDATE - Alleged killer boasted of "tricking" Police ”

  • who to blame (22/06/2012, 18:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    now now hope the UK officers not teking credit for tis....
  • @@@@@@ (22/06/2012, 18:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    goodness gracious it has been a while..long time in coming but glad to see they have someone, now let's hope they have the evidences to convict...
    • HELP HELP HELP HELP (22/06/2012, 23:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I hope his lawyer and the Judge will request a psychiatric evaluation during the court proceedings.
  • jack be still (22/06/2012, 19:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let's hope they got the right due!!!
  • watch and pray (22/06/2012, 23:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    knowing how weak the DPP and Police are in terms of evidence gathering, I doubt he will be convicted of murder....you watch
  • cane garden bay (23/06/2012, 08:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    THAT TOOK A LONG TIME TO CRACK DEMAN..POLICE SLEEPING AGAIN...IT TOOK 4 YEARS LARD
  • hot tot (23/06/2012, 09:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    UK cops are the best in the world, be thankful they are here to train the local cops, this was a good team effort with BVI cops and USVI cops.One less scum on the streets.
  • Village Girl (23/06/2012, 12:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    finally wonderful news..... as this was long overdue..now get on to the rest outstanding!!
  • tell the truth (23/06/2012, 18:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    When are these UK police officers going to tackle the other unsolved murders?? ..Maybe if they spend less time in the bars getting drunk we will get a lot more of these killers as there are too many unsolved crime.
  • man hunt (23/06/2012, 23:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    there are about 21 more unsolved murders to go since 1999, where are the UK police officers getting big bucks????.
  • Yummm! (24/06/2012, 17:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'll take the cop on the left please! He looks yummy...
  • Joc (25/06/2012, 09:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The UK Police are really good at what they do.
    • yes we can (25/06/2012, 15:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      TO JOC: Keep dreaming dem lazy high paid over rated boys...no way far from it just ask the police officers who bold enough to talk
  • dude (25/06/2012, 09:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This was known for awhile they just had to prove it..................guess they finally got the evidence they were waiting for
    • Oh Really (25/06/2012, 13:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well if this was known, why didn't you come forward? Glad to see that this case will get solved. this "boy" needs to stay where he is. He is really heartless to want to do something this harsh.
  • school children (25/06/2012, 13:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    soursop dont fall far from the tree
  • qc (25/06/2012, 14:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    after dem done do them worng dem got ball to still talk so much
  • weed (25/06/2012, 15:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    well saw me anit realize that murderers talk so much...mey bouy
  • Liat 521 (25/06/2012, 16:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Me just pray dem have the right man because no man give life…we need back the death penalty
    • Serious (25/06/2012, 19:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well if he can go around bragging bout one murder while wanting to pull another I would say they have the right person. Time to lock him up for good. No need to have him out on the street. He seems to be a loose cannon.
  • up the guth (25/06/2012, 18:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lock him up and throw away the damm keys!
  • k (25/06/2012, 20:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thanks Jessroy for being a parrot.
  • zephyr (26/06/2012, 12:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    killers walk among us...:-(
  • The Real Judge (26/06/2012, 18:38) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am appealing to all you people that has some kind of information to just find away to pass it on. Most times its just that little piece that appears insignificant that would make the difference in solving these crimes. I know lot of you have that information that in needed to put these criminals in the cage but you all are holding back for some reason. Please pass the information on, these crimes must be solved if we are going to have a better BVI.


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