Klansman Trial Day 6: Testifying Against 33 Accused

In the historic Klansman Trial, the black man faction where witness number two went into day four of his chilling testimony. On Monday, the witness detailed the planning and execution of two murders and a conspiracy to murder in St Catherine.

Andre ‘Blackman’ Bryan and his 32 co-accused again appeared before the court, to be tried under the anti-gang legislation, on an indictment with 25 counts, in a bench trial. On Monday, the court was called to order at 10 am however there were some audio-related issues that caused a delay in the proceedings. At around 10:33 the issue was resolved and the hearing got underway.

During the trial, the prosecutions’ witness number 2 revealed details of how members of the gang, allegedly killed a bus driver in the Spanish Town bus park. According to the witness, the now-deceased driver was encouraging other drivers not to pay extortion fees and that’s when the decision was taken to -in the witness’ words “mash-up di man” 

Although the witness was not physically present for this alleged murder, he asserts that he was in the know. The plan he says was to have Andre ‘Blackman’ Bryan’s bodyguard, Tareek James, dress up in a khaki uniform, pretending to be a ‘schoolaz’ to blend in.

Bryan allegedly gave orders for another member of the gang to make ready the “duppy truck” for that specific incident. The witness further explained that a stolen grey Nissan Tiida was referred to as the “duppy truck,” and it is only used when carrying out shootings or murders. It’s alleged that the bus driver was killed in the presence of police in the bus park.

The witness went on, detailing another murder allegedly committed in Thompson Pen on Old Road in St. Catherine in 2017.

On Friday the witness made reference to how the lone female along with Blackman and other members of the gang conspired to kill a man identified as ice in December 2018. The witness says he borrowed a taxi and followed Stephanie Christie, to a community in Spanish Town called top banks where they met three other gang members. The witness stated that a woman appeared with a handbag containing three guns which they tried to hide by removing the back seat from the taxi to conceal them below.  But he says it was impossible so they kept them in the handbag. 

From there two vehicles drove to Ewarton in search of ice, with christie piloting the way. A party was in session when they got to a section of Ewarton, one of the gang members allegedly armed went in search of ice, but he was not there.

They drove to a bar in the town of Ewarton but the target was also not there. 

Ice is said to be a rival of Blackman.

The trial will reconvene on Tuesday.