BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A 12-member jury on Monday (Oct. 11) delivered a mixed verdict (10-2) that found Eldean Phipps of Saddlers Village guilty of Shooting with Intent.
The trial began sometime last week and on Monday His Lordship Errol Thomas provided directions to the jury, which retired shortly after 10:00 a.m. and returned with a guilty verdict at about 2:00 p.m.
The evidence presented in court was that Phipps, on December 13, 2009 in Saddlers, shot at Travis Matthew with intent to do him harm.
Although the bullet did not find its mark, it hit the car that Matthew was driving.
Three witnesses, including Matthew, gave evidence in court; he was however deemed a hostile witness.
Matthew told the court that on the day in question he was in his car and when he saw Phipps running behind his cousin, Kevis Matthew.
He also told the court that he could not remember the evidence he gave at the Magistrate’s Court. But during his summary, Judge Thomas said that the evidence was different to the one he gave at the magisterial level.
The judge also noted in his summary that Phipps’ defence counsels argued that there was no evidence of anyone shooting directly at Matthew, and that Phipps told the court while he was defending himself he raised his hand and the gun went off.
Phipps was represented by lawyers John Cato, Dr. Henry Browne and Hesketh Benjamin.
Eldean Phipps has to return to the court for sentencing hearing on Thursday, October 28.
