Klansman Trial: “Gangsters Used Underground Holes to Evade Police”

Day 26 of the Klansman Trial: Defense team continued its cross-examination of the prosecution’s second witness. The former gang member turned crown witness revealed to the court that people within the Jones Avenue community in Spanish Town were working alongside the gang. He told the court that the gang’s purpose is to “kill, extort and burn down people’s house”

An attorney suggested to the witness that he has been lying throughout his evidence and fabricating things along the way. The witness disregarded this suggestion while conceding that there is much information that was left out of his police statements. However, he says he is now giving further details in court. He gave a description of a particular location in Spanish Town, highlighting the use of underground holes that gang members would use as hideouts to evade the police. In one instance, one of the defendants blurted out “a pure lie him a tell, him come fi tell lie“. At this point, Chief Justice Brian Sykes was seemingly not entertaining any unsubstantiated argument from the defense team which may result in further delay of the trial.

Attorney Alexander Shaw who represents Stephanie Christie, the lone female on trial sought to seek an adjournment of the court. His basis- that the prosecution introduced a 75-page transcript of a phone conversation the witness had with gang members. According to the defense, the transcript is a different one from the one previously disclosed. Shaw contests that it is prejudicial to the defense’s case and he would need until Wednesday to be fully prepared.

Justice Sykes stopped him dead in his tracks saying the adjournment will not happen and that the court should proceed.

Attorney Keith Bishop representing the defendant Lamar Simpson questioned the witness about his performance as an alleged don in the criminal organization.

The witness in previous times says he did not benefit from being a don, he never gave orders to kill anyone nor has he ever pulled a trigger. He added that he only collected guns and ammunition and sometimes money. Justice Sykes intervened, suggesting that the witness wasn’t really a don, because he was not living up to the ‘job description’, but the witness insisted that he was appointed as a don by the alleged gang leader, Andre ‘Blackman Bryan.’

The witness further stated that members of the gang would usually wear a red or orange hand-kerchief and that every PNP stronghold in Spanish Town would bare the graffiti ‘Klans-one Don’ on zinc fences and walls. 

The court will reconvene on Tuesday at 10 am.