The High Court trial of Lawrence Wayne, a licensed firearm holder who shot dead a suspected bandit at Light and Fifth Streets, Alberttown, Georgetown in August 2014 is nearing its conclusion and his innocence or guilt will soon be determined.
On Monday, the prosecution closed its case, which contended that Wayne pursued and shot Dexter Lindo after an alleged robbery was carried out on his business place, Wayne Beverage Paradise, at Merriman Mall.
Reports are Lindo was shot three times in the vicinity of a shop and died just days later while a patient at the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital.
Accused: Lawrence Wayne
Wayne, who briefly addressed the court in an unsworn statement in the jury’s presence on Monday, confirmed what he told Police in an ordinary statement, highlighting events that led to the shooting.
“I rely on the statement that I gave to the Police,” the accused told presiding Judge, Justice Jo-Ann Barlow. The Judge, thereafter announced, that closing addresses from both the prosecution and defence would be heard by the jury today. In the coming hours, Justice Barlow will sum up the case before the 12-member jury can deliberate and return a verdict. A no-case submission on behalf of the defence was overruled earlier in the trial.
According to the statement the murder accused had given Police, on the day in question, he shot the now deceased man during a confrontation, which had occurred after a robbery was carried out on his business place.
According to the accused’s version of events, he received a phone call from someone that armed men had entered and robbed his stall at the Merriman Mall. He later told Police that as he arrived at the scene, the men were fleeing into a waiting vehicle. Police were also told that he pursued the men in his own vehicle and met up with them at Light and Fifth Streets, Alberttown. It was there that he confronted one of the men and told him to “freeze!”
The accused also alleged that the suspected bandit pulled a gun from his waist, but he opened fire which led to Lindo being shot. Lindo, then 26, had resided at Shell Road, Kitty, Georgetown. Police had recovered an unlicensed .32 Beretta Pistol, with four matching rounds, which was reportedly in the possession of Lindo at the time of the confrontation with Wayne. About 20 witnesses testified during the trial.
Wayne is represented by Attorneys Stanley Moore and Maxwell McKay while the State’s case is presented by Prosecutors Shawnette Austin, Tamica Clarke, and Mandell Moore.
