Over 50 crime scene pictures presented

– as suspected ‘terror gang’ member’s murder trial continues

Police Detective Desmond Johnny on Thursday appeared at the High Court in Georgetown where a plethora of photographs taken at the crime scene of the murder of pick-up truck occupant Woddet Roberts, along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway in 2009.
Roberts, called “Buck Man”, met his demise during the course of a robbery between November 3 and November 4, 2009 when a gang of bandits evicted and tied up the occupants of a Toyota Tacoma vehicle which was en route to a mining area. Basil Morgan, a suspected member of the Colin Jones terror gang, is standing trial for the murder, but he denied committing the act.
At Thursday’s hearing, 56 photographs from the harrowing crime scene were tendered and admitted into evidence as exhibits. At the conclusion of the presentation of evidence and submissions, the images will be material to the jury’s deliberations when determining Morgan’s innocence or guilt.
Meanwhile, Police Commander Ravindradat Budhram also took the stand on Thursday and testified to being an arresting officer who had put the allegation to Morgan back in 2009. However, under cross-examination by defence counsel Lyndon Amsterdam, the witness admitted that he was not aware of the circumstances that led to Roberts’ demise when he put the allegation to the accused. Budhram further stated that at the time he and other ranks went searching Morgan’s home, they had not known in advance what they were searching for. He, however, maintained that upon the search of Morgan’s home, they received information on site to search for guns and ammunition.
Morgan was believed to have been part of the Colin Jones gang that carried out several terror-related crimes almost nine years ago, which included the alleged setting of a fire at a public building – the Supreme Court of Judicature’s Registry department. It is believed that after the gang stole the pick-up truck along the Highway, they allegedly used it to create mayhem. In fact, some members of the gang have admitted guilt for some of the offences.
David Anthony Watson, called “Tupac”; Randy Mars, known as “Ratty”, and Jafar Simpson, were all sentenced to 19 years’ imprisonment in April 2017 after pleading guilty to manslaughter for Roberts’ killing. They were additionally sentenced for other terror-related crimes. Gang leader Jones admitted guilt for the 2009 terror acts and was sentenced to 80 years’ imprisonment for several offences he committed between 2009 and 2010. Morgan’s trial continues before High Court Judge, Justice James Bovell-Drakes.