Klansman Trial: Prosecution Responds to No Case Submissions

The Klansman Gang Trial resumed on Monday, June 13 after a weeklong adjournment. The prosecution began their response to no case submissions in court. Presiding Judge, Chief Justice Bryan Sykes used the evidence presented to challenge the prosecutions’ arguments against certain alleged gangsters.

The prosecution in the Klansman Gang Trial may be having a hard time planting their arguments as they share their responses to no-case-to-answer submissions that were heard over the course of six weeks. The proceedings on Monday, began with the prosecution insisting on holding alleged leader of the one don faction of the Klansman Gang, Andre “Blackman” Bryan on count 20 – the murder of an unknown person in St Catherine.

The incident took place at a popular hardware in 2018. According to witness testimony Blackman was displeased that not enough persons were being killed. When asked by fellow accused gangster Ted Prince what should be done, Blackman reportedly replied “nyam him food”

Blackman’s lawyer posited that there was not enough evidence to prove that the man had died. However, on Monday the prosecution says the body which was left there had to be removed by a man, that fact should indicate that he had indeed, died.

However Chief Justice Bryan Sykes was not buying the argument. He says that “a naked assertion from a witness” may not be enough evidence. He says he found it ‘remarkable’ that a murder could happen on a major thoroughfare with no witnesses or, police evidence, or even a post mortem available, all of which would at least prove that the body exists.

The prosecution says there were police officers who processed the scene. They admit, but did not ask them to testify as the lawmen were no longer in the JCF. -an explanation that Sykes rejected.

The rest of the responses were met with similar inquiries from the judge.

The prosecution’ s response to Tomrick “Fancy Ras” Taylor’s no case submission was provided. In trying to prove that he is a member of a criminal organization they referred to count 6: conspiracy to murder a man named Doolie. Justice Sykes wondered if the prosecution was banking on this one instance to prove that he is a consistent member and not a conspirator. However, the prosecution says both witnesses named Taylor in more than one incident.

Responses were also provided for Daniel McKenzie, Kevaugn Green, Kalifah Williams, Micheal Whitely and Pete Miller.

Court resumes on Tuesday at 11 am.

Reporter: Jhanielle Powell