Accused to know fate Thursday

Mandela Avenue shooting

A Murder accused Lloyd Britton, who allegedly killed 24-year-old Elvis Fernandes during an argument at Mandela Avenue, West Ruimveldt two years ago, will know his fate later this week.

The late Elvis Fernandes was shot at Mandela Avenue
The late Elvis Fernandes was shot at Mandela Avenue

Britton appeared before Justice James Bovell-Drakes at the High Court on Monday as the defence and prosecution presented their closing arguments. The murder accused is being represented by Nigel Hughes while Tamica Clarke and Stacy Goodings are leading the State’s case.

In 2014, Fernandes was allegedly shot dead during an argument with a minibus driver. Police had noted that the driver of the minibus and the driver of a motor car had an argument earlier at Mandela Avenue as a result of being in a ‘damage’ accident.

“The drivers of the two vehicles later crossed paths again along Mandela Avenue as the minibus stopped to put off a passenger and another argument arose. On this occasion Elvis Fernandes and a plain-clothes Policeman were in the motor car,” Police had noted.

Somehow, Fernandes became involved in the argument along with the driver of the minibus, during which he was shot to his chest by a man, believed to be Britton, who was a passenger in the minibus and who had begun discharging rounds from a firearm.

A Policeman, who tendered evidence during the current trial, was said to have made efforts to pacify the situation and subsequently discharged a round from his service firearm, which struck the armed man.

In his closing remarks, Defence Counsel Hughes on Monday pointed out to the court and jury the discrepancies in the Police account, suggesting that it may have been a rank who shot the now deceased Fernandes. He also alleged to the 12-member jury that his client has had to spend time behind bars over a Police “cover up”.

Meanwhile, Prosecutor Clarke stated that the defence’s argument was a “fabrication”, noting that the defendant had changed his story at least three times. She added that the murder accused signed a confession that was indeed the truth and Britton’s explanation that the statement was signed during “sleep and wake” while he was at the hospital was false.

“Seriously…even a child wouldn’t believe that,” Clarke told the jury.

After the closing arguments were made, the presiding judge adjourned the matter to Thursday when he will sum up the evidence, after which the jury will be allowed to deliberate on whether they find the accused guilty or innocent.