BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DEVON WILLIAMS who is currently on trial for causing the death by dangerous driving of Keith Brombill on Aug. 11, 2009 said that he has never driven in his life.
The trial began on Tuesday, Oct. 4 and Crown Counsel Garth Wilkin who is the prosecutor in the matter called a total of 13 witnesses to give evidence, while Williams is unrepresented by counsel.
The prosecution alleges that Williams of Sandy Point, who also resides at St. Johnston Village, did hit Brombill on the date in question while driving on the Island’s Main Road in Sandy Point and flee the scene.
Brombill was struck by a motorcar bearing registration number R173 which was first reported to be driven by Jevon Allen of Old Road. Brombill was pronounced dead on the scene.
The prosecution rested its case yesterday, Oct. 5, and today Oct. 6, Williams decided to take the witness dock and give sworn testimony.
He told the court that on the morning of the incident he was awakened by a call from Allen and said that following their conversation he got dressed and went down the road and got into the vehicle.
He said the vehicle drove to town and he went by Royal Bank to change his cheque. He continued by saying that they all drove over to a beach in Frigate Bay and bought a quarter bottle of brandy while there.
Williams told the court that while at the beach he had to take the bottle away from Mikhale Kelly the other occupant in the vehicle. He said that Kelly was the one who drove to town and he did not want him to drink.
He said Kelly insisted on driving back and when they left an argument occurred.
Williams said that car swerved three times, before reaching a railway near Sandy Point, on the said railway and after the vehicle struck the man.
He said the car stopped for two seconds after swagging and then hit another individual, he said the car then drove down Millard road and onto Station Street, then came up the first road and proceeded to Basseterre.
During cross-examination, Williams firmly stated that he nor Allen was driving the car at the time of the accident.
He said that Kelly was the one driving and that he nor Kelly had a driver’s license.
Williams told the court that from his understanding Kelly gave Allen money for the car.
The young man who claimed not to have been the one driving the car said that when the car sped off, Allen was driving and while the car drove away, it hit a Police car in Verchilds.
Williams said that he was in the back seat all the time.
When asked about the statement he gave police about him being the one behind the wheel, Williams said he told the police a lie.
He further explained that he lied and evaded the police for two months after the accident was because he was being threatened and harassed by Kelly.
The Jury, who had no questions for the accused, were taken by the prosecution to the scene of the crime yesterday, (Oct. 5) where witnesses pointed out the position of the vehicle and Brombill when the accident occurred.
Witness James Dyett who was also in the same hole in the road where Brombill was said that the deceased was facing the vehicle when he was hit.
This is the second time the case is being tried as it ended in a hung jury at the May 2011 Criminal Assizes.
The jury went into deliberation following His Lordship’s summation of the trial and is expected to return with a verdict sometime today.
