Denny says Magilla was his friend;
…never plotted to kill him

By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

Sheldon Isaac (green shirt), Ruedeney Williams (brown shirt) and Louis Gardner (brown/white shirt) leaving the Courthouse

According to the prosecution, Williams, who took the stand Tuesday afternoon, was part of a plan conceived by Romeo ‘Buncum’ Cannonier to end the life of Gilbert because he was a witness in the murder case of Police Constable Delvin Nisbett. Cannonier was the sole accused in that case and has since been convicted.

The prosecution alleged that Cannonier, by way of Lionel Warner, sent a message to Louis ‘Tooloo’ Gardner, the number four accused in the case, to have Gilbert executed.

On the night of March 21, 2005, sometime after 10 o’clock, Gilbert was gunned down meters from his Saddlers Village home. Investigations led to the arrest of Cannonier, the number two accused; Gardner; Williams; and Sheldon ‘Hatcher’ Isaac, the number one accused.

Williams told the court that he and Gilbert were such good friends that when he (Gilbert) “got in trouble with the police” he endeavoured to assist him in getting bail. Williams said he was unsuccessful and sought assistance elsewhere.

Also, when he had “woman problems”, as Williams explained, he received assistance from Gilbert on several occasions. ~~Adz:Right~~

“At the time he died, we were real good. We never had a dispute,” Williams said and denied that he had any communication with Cannonire, Isaac or Gardner about killing Gilbert prior to or on March 21, 2005.

Williams said he knew the three accused prior to March 21, 2005. He said that the relationship between himself and Isaac was on a “hello, hello” basis, while he and Gardner were “as family” but he never “lime with” Cannonire.

“I know nothing about the murder of Gavin Gilbert. I did not see Gavin Gilbert on March 21, 2005. I was not looking for Gavin Gilbert on March 21, 2005. I did not give anyone information about the whereabouts of Gavin Gilbert on March 21, 2005. I did not give anyone a lift in my car to the vicinity of Gavin Gilbert’s residence on March 21, 2005. I did not take anyone from the vicinity of Gavin Gilbert’s home on March 21, 2005,” Williams testified.

During cross-examination, it was put to Williams that he played three roles in the murder of Magilla. He was told that he provided transportation to two of the alleged killers on the day the murder was committed; monitored Gavin Gilbert’s movements during the night; and that he was to be the “whistle blower” or the “look-out man”.

Williams denied the allegations and noted, “I was Magilla’s friend. I never had no conversation with none ah de accused. I would never do that.”

Williams’ ex-girlfriend, Kimia Evelyn, who was a witness for the Crown, told the court that on the afternoon of March 21, 2005, Williams received a phone call from an individual who indicated that, “we reach”. She said he was cleaning a silver spin-barrel gun and had stopped on receipt of the phone call, left the house and jumped into his vehicle along with Isaac and Gardner.

Williams denied cleaning a gun and also seeing Isaac and Gardner on the day in question.

He also said Evelyn lied on him when she said that she was told by him to say that they spent the entire night together if anyone should enquire of his whereabouts.

Both the prosecution and the defence closed their cases yesterday and today [Wednesday] closing arguments will be heard. Isaac and Cannonier are represented by Reginald W. James, Williams is represented by Jason Hamilton and Hesketh Benjamin is representing Gardner. The case is being prosecuted by a team led by Sir Richard Cheltenham, QC.

Following the presentation of closing arguments, presiding judge, Justice Alfred Redhead will sum up the case, instruct the jury on the law and they will be sent off to deliberate.