Victim Refuses To Testify, Men Acquitted
ZBM News today [July 11] reported Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves instructed the jury in a Supreme Court trial to find defendants, Jah’mico Trott, 23, and Dunn-yah Taylor, 22, not guilty of all charges.
The pair were in court facing charges for allegedly attempting to murder David Godwin on September 23, 2010.
After delivering her opening speech to the jury, prosecutor Susan Mulligan then called to the stand the Crown’s star witness of the case. Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves has banned the media from identifying him for his own safety.
The witness was not able to recall the shooting taking place and expressed that he was not happy to be in court. After being produced with his own police statements, the witness stated that he could not remember anything.
Miss. Mulligan informed the court that the Crown would be unable to proceed any further with the case. The Judge then called the jury back and instructed them to find the defendants not guilty on all charges.
Before being dismissed the jury were told that it was the second time victim, Mr. Godwin, had been shot in the stomach while outside his home. The panel also heard that since the case came to court, police have been unable to locate Godwin despite a warrant being out for his arrest.
How amazing it is for a person (a star witness) to make a police statement and then in court does not remember anything? Obviously the witness is not safe either way…and is fully aware of “his” sitution.
Can they charge him with….Perjury? Obstructing of justice? Just asking.
Correction…”Situation”
This case just sounds fishy all together. The witness doesnt want to speak and mr goodwin is gone missing. Either hiding for his life, and the witness sounds like they have been bribed with their life, or a few dollars. therefore, attempting murderes or not, there faith was decided quite easily.
‘Street justice’
Coming soon to a location near you… (maybe)
EXACTLY!!! Street Justice is what its gonna be!! I see Nothing good coming out of this so far 4 people have walked away on murder and attempted murder charges *SMH*
How unfortunate that the witness could not remember. I’m sure he was trying very hard (NOT).
An obvious case of threatining the witness and the victim… These guys just don’t know, you can hide from mon, but not the Almighty.. your time will come and when it does you will be reminded of all the bad you’ve done!
My pen name say it all: “it is what it is” and @ US observer witnesses, informants and the like are NOT safe case and point with the case last week during which the “Witness” was labelle a police informant…who wants to give evidence if you in return than have to be ‘on the run” fearing for your own safety…..
Typo; Labelled
It sounds like the witness could not be guaranteed protection..and you mean to tell me that’s all the evidence they had a star witness..something smells fishy here..
Correction..victim/star witness..I thought it didn’t matter if the victim testified its a crime in witch the DPP with enough evidence can still prosecute..Hmm!
That’s true…sometimes police evidence can outweight any testimony.
Pretty clear that they had very little evidence, as in the case of the brothers recently acquitted.
IT WILL ONLY CONTINUE ! THE ISSUES ARE MUCH DEEPER !!! WAKE FOLKS………………. NO GOSSIP JUST FACTS……
The UK used to face the same problem. Under legislation passed in 2003, the Crown can now make various applications to adduce previously made police statements as hearsay in trial where a particular witness cannot or does not give evidence for a variety of reasons, such as where a witness is unavailable or where a another is fearful for his life.
It’s a very tricky piece of legislation because it has been used and abused by the Crown at all levels of criminal proceedings. But perhaps it’s time to take the risk and for Bermuda to consider a similar sort of scheme?
murderers gettin off! attempted murderers gettin off! unsolved murders! boy Bermuda is a safe place 2 live! wish i never left!!
Where you to now?
i really cannot beleive what i am seeing happening here in bermuda. first TWO brothers get off for murder and now two more guys get off for attempted murder. what is really going on in this this small island? you cannot tell me that without this witness testimony that the dpp has no more evidence to proceed with the case? we all what’s coming next bermuda,street justice. it is very sad that a witness can suddenly forget the statemnts he made to police? who gor to him is the question on everyone’s mind?
These people should have a drug test so we’ll have an idea on what really is happening.