BASSETERRE – MURDER accused, Wycliffe ‘Wicked’ Liburd, took the stand yesterday (July 7) and consistently as well as categorically denied that he was involved in the murder of Charles ‘Abaloo’ Matthew.
Liburd is accused of committing the offence which occurred at Lower Shaw Avenue, McKnight on Friday, April 18, 2008. According to the prosecution’s claim, Liburd met the deceased on that street at about 10:45 a.m. and questioned him about some money before shooting him to death.
According to Liburd’s testimony, around the time that the offence of which he is accused occurred, he was just outside the Sir Lee Llewellyn Moore Judicial and Legal Services Complex giving support to a friend who was on trial.
“On or about that time, I was outside the courthouse in the Square. I did not have a case in the court that day. …basically, I have a friend, Denzil Williams, he had a case and he asked for me to be down there to show support.”
Liburd said that while in the Square, he saw and spoke with individuals with whom he was familiar including a female he identified as Letty, Crispin Crossley and Barrister-at-Law Chesley Hamilton.
The accused said he spent just about two hours in the square – from sometime after 9:00 a.m. to after 11:00 a.m., after which he went about his business.
“I was in the (Independence) Square at that particular time [when the offence occurred]. I am precisely sure I was not in McKnight at that time.”
While being cross-examined, all allegations put to him concerning his involvement in the cold-blooded murder of Matthew, were denied as he described them as either “false” or “blatant lies”.
Chief Investigator Sergeant Edward Drew told the court on Monday (July 6) that he had reason to question Liburd about the murder, during which he denied being in the McKnight area on the day Matthew was gunned down. Liburd, however, told the court that he does not remember telling the officer this but admitted that he was indeed in the McKnight area on that day. He however explained that it was not during the time when Matthew was shot.
Liburd told the court that he left the Independence Square in the company of Williams, Crossley and others at about 11:00 a.m., and while unable to recall when the others parted ways, Williams, Crossley and himself walked to the McKnight area in the vicinity of what he identified as “Y’s Shop”. He said that at no point did he venture to the scene of the crime after he learnt of Matthew’s demise.
Williams gave evidence on Liburd’s behalf and explained that after his case was called, he was freed and proceeded to Fiennes Avenue with Liburd and Crossley. He added that while Crossley continued walking along Central Street, he and Liburd went into Fiennes Avenue to his [Williams] home.
Chad Williams and Craig Haliday also testified on Liburd’s behalf and they both indicated that they witnessed the shooting.
They told the court that Matthew was on Shaw Avenue when a gunman exited a nearby alley and set chase after him while shooting in his direction. They further explained that the gunman stopped to “fix his gun” and continued the assault.
According to Williams’ account, the gunman was dressed in a black hoodie, a black hat, black pants and a white mask covering his face.
Both men explained that the female who said she witnessed the shooting, only left her house and was screaming after the deed was done while the gunman was fleeing the scene. Unlike other witnesses, both Williams and Haliday said there was no conversation between the gunman and the deceased before the shooting occurred.
At the request of the defence, the crime scene was visited and members of the prosecution, defence, jury and others had an opportunity to see the area and surmise what may have transpired in light of the prosecution and defence evidence.
This matter will resume tomorrow (July 9) morning when both sides will present their closing statements, following which His Lordship Justice Francis Belle is expected to give a summation of the evidence before sending the jury off for deliberations.
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