According to a written testimony read aloud in the High Court during the Keri Harrigan murder trial on March 1, 2013, murder accused Yan Edwards allegedly ordered that the cell phone of an individual, who is now a key witness in the case, be destroyed by immersing in water and throwing away the sim card. Photo: VINO/File

Mr Allen Baptiste is one of two persons on trial for the March 2011 murder of Keri Harrigan. Photo: VINO/File

Two witnesses took to the stand during the last session for the day; Inspector of Police Adrian Kartick and Mr. Orvin A. Smith aka Basha, both of whom were the witnesses called by Attorney-at-Law Stephen Daniels. Daniels is representing Yan Edwards as a lawyer for the Legal Aid service.

Inspector Kartick swore to the court of having taken statements from persons in relation to the case, one of whom was Ms Samantha Gilbert. Having confirmed that the woman was not in the country, Mr Kartick was asked by the defence lawyer, through Justice Albert Redhead, to read aloud the statement given to police by Ms Gilbert.

The statement gave evidence that Gilbert was the girlfriend of Vaughn Cameron, a key witness in the case. It gave testimony of the woman receiving several calls from Yan Edwards asking the whereabouts of Mr Cameron and advising her that arrangements would have been put in place for her to be transported until she would have retrieved her vehicle from the police. Edwards also allegedly instructed her to destroy the mobile phone of Vaughn Cameron by dipping it water and throwing away the sim card.

The testimony also alleged that Mr Edwards attempted to force the woman to get a lawyer and to report her boyfriend as being kidnapped by the police since no one had knowledge of his whereabouts. Edwards had also sent his child’s mother to transport the woman to and from work. The woman was also insisting that Gilbert contract the services of a lawyer.

The other witness 'Basha' told his story as questioned by Mr Stephen Daniels and Senior Crown Council Valston Graham. His testimony sought to establish if he was telling the truth of not giving Mr Cameron a scale to weigh marijuana on March 15, 2011. He also gave testimony of what he heard, saw and did on March16, 2011 prior to and after the shooting to death of Mr Harrigan.

The witness objected to the suggestion that he came to the court to tell a lie to cover up for Yan Edwards.

The second murder accused, Allen Baptiste was given the option to or not to give testimony in the case against him and to call a witness on his behalf. He declined.

The court later moved to the murder scene where Mr Smith aka Basha was asked to map out the information he provided in his testimony. He also pointed out other aspects of the case and identified various surrounding places at the instruction of the court.

See previous article posted on February 28, 2013

Witness didn’t report Harrigan murder plot for fear of own life- Court hears

One of the witnesses testifying in the Keri Harrigan Murder Trial in the High Court told the jury today, February 28, 2013 that he knew about the plot to kill Keri Harrigan but did not report it to police because he feared for his own life.

Standing trial in the High Court for the murder committed on March 16, 2011 in Long Look, are Yan Edwards and Allen Baptiste. Mr Harrigan was shot to death in the vicinity of the Long Look Clinic.

Witness Mr Vaughn Cameron told the court that on the night of March 16, 2011 prior to the shooting, he had observed Mr Edwards driving by in the company of Mr Baptiste.  

He also stated that when he heard the sounds of what appeared to have been gunshots, he looked in the direction of the Long Look Clinic where the sounds came from and saw Harrigan on the ground with "loads" of blood.

Mr Cameron stated that he then went into his car with a Mr Springette and drove to Bobby's Super market in Long Look before heading to Belle Vue where he dropped Mr Springette off at his home before heading to West End where he spent the rest of the night. 

The witness said that he did not agree with the plan to kill Harrigan but did not go to the police with the information he had about the plot because he had feared for his own life. 

Under cross examination by the attorney representing Mr Yan Edwards, Mr. Stephen Daniels, Mr Cameron said that he didn't tell Keri Harrigan about the plot to kill him. 

Under further cross examination by Baptiste's attorney, Mr. Patrick Thompson, Mr Cameron said that his communication with Baptiste was minimal for the two years he had known him and that on the night of the shooting he spoke with Baptiste twice, once prior to the shooting and the other after the shooting while he was on his way to West End.

See previous story posted on February 27, 2013

Harrigan Murder Trial: Guns, ammo & drugs were imported from ‘Texas’

- Key witness said he had no intention of testifying against his friends

A key witness for the Prosecution in the High Court trial for the murder of Keri Harrigan, who was shot and killed on March 16, 2011, testified yesterday, February 26, 2013 that murder accused Allen Baptiste was not involved in the importation of the firearms, drugs and ammunition that were contained in a package that forms a key part of the investigations.

Mr Henito R. Penn also admitted to withholding information from the police at the time of giving his statement because the men accused of the murder were his friends and he had no intention of testifying against them.

Under cross examination by a defence attorney, Mr Penn alleged that the package came from Texas, New York through  a courier service and was organized by him and murder accused Yan Edwards. He, however, said Mr Baptiste was integrally involved in the unpacking and examination of the contents of the package, in which the guns, ammunition, marijuana and other items were contained.

The court heard that Mr. Penn could not recall if there were any markings on the package to identify who it was shipped to but he said, “Even if it had we weren’t studying about that.” Penn also said he couldn’t recall ever importing anything in his name.

It was established during the testimony that Mr Penn was not knowingly charged by police for the possession of firearms, ammunition or drugs despite admitting to have had same in his possession. He said the guns and ammunition were intended to be used for “simple fights”.

Penn also stated that he had not seen, or taken the police to where he had hidden the guns in his grandmother’s yard on March 15, 2011. At the time he had testified of seeing someone entering and leaving the compound of the Long Look Clinic by jumping the fence on the evening of March 16, 2011.

The trial is continuing in the High Court today, February 27, 2013.