Shaki Crockwell Murder Trial Underway

[Updated] The Supreme Court trial of 36-year-old Derek Spalding is now underway, with the jury hearing this morning [Jan.24] that the defendant allegedly shot the victim as he owed him money gained from the sale of illegal drugs.

25-year-old footballer Shaki Crockwell — a national level football player and captain of the Boulevard Blazers — was found dead on 24th August 2007. He had been shot in the neck, with his body was found on the Railway Trail in Devonshire.

The court heard that Mr Crockwell and Mr Spalding initially met while they were both serving prison time.

The Prosecutor alleged the two men had decided on an arrangement in which the victim would sell drugs for the defendant upon his release from prison, as he was scheduled to be released first.

The Prosecutor further alleged that the defendant felt that he was owed money by Mr Crockwell, and arranged to meet the victim on the Railway Tracks to give him a package of drugs.

Prosecutor Maria Sofianos said when the two men met, Mr Spalding shot Mr Crockwell – who was wearing a bullet proof vest when he was found.

The first witness took the stand, and said he heard gunshots on the evening of 24th August 2007. He said he started to investigate, but lost his nerve and went home.

The second witness – Randy Lightbourne – said he met both the defendant and the victim in prison, and that he was friends with both of them.

After both men were released, the witness said he maintained contact with them by cell phone from inside the prison.

He said he knew Mr Crockwell was “juggling” [selling drugs] for Mr Spalding, and that the victim told him someone broke into his house, stole the drugs and money, and that he was in debt to the defendant.

He continued to to say that after Mr Crockwell got a new car, and that instigated Mr Spalding’s anger over the money he said was owed to him.

Mr Lightbourne also said Mr Spalding was engaged in the business of selling drugs while on work release from Westgate, as well as living in a transitional living center.

The jury was shown a series of photos of the victim, with some very graphic in nature.

Mr Spalding is charged with premeditated murder and with using a firearm to commit an indictable offence. He denies the charges.

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