As the defence continues to call its witnesses, Dennis “Anaconda” Williams has denied that he was in Bartica during the time of the massacre, claiming that he was with his father in Georgetown.
Mark Royden Williams, Dennis Williams and Roger Simon are the three standing trial for the massacre at Bartica
Dennis’ father, Grantley Williams, who testified that his son was with him, had difficulty in remembering the exact dates as the incident was “a long time ago”. Dennis, along with Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie”, and Roger Simon, called “Goat Man”, are the three accused on trial for the February 17, 2008 massacre at Bartica.
Dennis’ denial of being present at the attack follows a similar account of co-accused Mark, who claimed last week that he too was not present at the massacre.
At the High Court in Georgetown on Tuesday, Defence Attorney Shaphier Hussain called his client Dennis to the stand. In his evidence in chief from the witness box, the murder accused stated that on February 17 of 2008, he was in Georgetown at his father’s residence.
Recalling the events that followed his November 2008 arrest, the accused reiterated the defence’s contention that he was beaten, shocked and tortured by Police ranks. He also denied ever giving a statement to Police, stressing that he could not read or write. The jury heard that Dennis lived in Globe Yard at 135 Waterloo Street, Georgetown. Dennis denied too that his call name was “Anaconda”. The court also heard that the accused was a “gyaff mate” of self-confessed gang member Clebert “Chi-chi” Reece, but he denied that they spoke while he lived at Globe Yard.
State Prosecutor Stacey Goodings grilled the witness over his claim that he could not read and write, despite having attended school up to Fourth Form. When questioned about his activities two days before the Bartica incident, Dennis stated that he could not remember what happened, but minutes later, denied that he and “Chi-chi” travelled from the Tiger Bay wharf to Bartica on February 15.
“I never went nowhere; I don’t know what you’re talking bout ma’am,” Dennis expressed.
Dennis Williams’ alibi
Meanwhile, Dennis’ father, of Barr Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, testified that his son was with him during the time of the incident while he lived at Waterloo Street, Georgetown. However, as he continued, a number of discrepancies were discovered in his testimony. According to his recollection, his son was arrested on February 17, 2008 and he went to the Station but could not see him. The court disallowed Husain on his attempt to provide the witness with specific dates.
Minutes later, the witness, testified that his son came to his home about “10 to 8” with a girlfriend and stayed at his home for three hours drinking with several friends.
Under cross-examination, more discrepancies surfaced as the man stated that on February 15, 2008, his son was with him and on February 16, he was locked up, changing the date from the 17th, to which he testified earlier.
Meanwhile, presiding Judge, Justice Roxane George, SC, cited Defence Counsel Husain for lateness and as such, fined him $10,000. Later in the trial, the lawyer applied to be withdrawn completely from the matter, but Justice George rejected the application on grounds that his client would have to retain counsel at a late stage. The trial continues at the High Court this morning at 09:00h when additional witnesses for the defence are expected to testify.
During that fateful night, 12 persons, including three Policemen, were killed in the massacre at Bartica.
