BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A 12-member jury yesterday (July 6) returned a 10-two guilty verdict against Razba Matthew who was charged with manslaughter in the shooting-death of 14-year-old Stancia Lake.
The trial began on June 27 at the Basseterre High Court where the prosecution had set out to prove that Matthew had shot and killed Lake on August 8, 2009 at a home located at the corner of Wigley Avenue and Cayon Street.
The prosecution team called a total of 10 witnesses and was led by Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Paulina Hendrickson, while Matthew, who was a juvenile at the time of the offence, was represented by Attorney-At-Law Marsha Henderson.
Barbadian Forensic Pathologist Dr. Stephen Jones told the court that on August 11, 2009 he had performed an autopsy on the deceased and found that death was due to a gunshot wound to the head.
Other evidence given in court was that Justin Stevens, who resided at the home where Lake was killed, was getting his hair plaited at the time of her death.
Stevens told the court that he, Lake and Matthew were in his bedroom where she had plaited the accused hair before attending to his own.
He said that during the time Lake was plaiting his hair, the accused was sitting near a window in the bedroom.
He also said his twin brother and a friend were also at the home at the time of the incident.
Stevens said he was seated on the floor and Lake sat directly behind him on the edge of the bed, and was startled when he heard the sound of gunfire.
“I felt Stancia ease over on me and when I turned around she was falling and I saw blood,” he said.
Stevens said he jumped up and removed his shoes, which was next to Lake, and ran to the bathroom to wash the blood off of them.
He told the court that on his return he saw Lake lying on the floor and his brother and a friend went into the house to inquire what happened.
The witness said that at the time of the incident the accused was sitting by a window that faced Millionaire Street.
He said that his mother was the one who called the police.
Stevens also said that the accused had left the house and he was sitting in a chair crying while everyone was in shock and frightened.
During the cross-examination by counsel for the accused Attorney-At-Law Marsha Henderson, it was revealed that Matthew was seated about five to six feet away from the deceased in a chair by the window facing Millionaire Street.
Stevens said that when the shot was fired it echoed and he was unable to say exactly where it came from.
It was also revealed that Matthew told him he did not see anyone.
Stevens said that the accused ran to the back of the yard and it seemed as if he were looking for someone.
The jury also heard from Jason Stevens, the twin brother of Justin, who told the court during cross-examination that he heard someone that sounded like the accused say, “Somebody just try throw me een.”
The witness said it means “someone just tried to kill me” in street talk.
Other witnesses who gave evidence were Patricia Stevens, mother of the twin brothers, and Corporal Avalon Anthony.
After the verdict was rendered, Matthew was taken into custody where he will await sentencing within two weeks.
