Crown witness says Matthew confessed to shooting Army Corporal
By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
 |
| Maluska Williams (at the bottom of the steps) and Wayne Matthew (at the top) |
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE trial of Maluska Williams and Wayne Matthew took a twist yesterday when the brother of the number two accused made a startling statement in court.
Reece Williams, brother of Maluska Williams who is the number one accused in the case of the attempted murder of Corporal Joseph Bergan, told the court yesterday that the number two accused in the case, Wayne Matthew, confessed to him that he committed the crime.
Williams explained to the judge and jury that on the day after the incident, he visited the home of Wayne Matthew where he met both accused.
He further explained that having informed them of what he heard concerning the shooting of Bergan, a member of the St. Kitts Nevis Defence Force, Matthew confessed to the crime.
“Wayne Matthew said he was involved in this incident. Maluska Williams was also in the house when this was said.”
Reece Williams explained that Matthew told him he did not mean to shoot Bergan but rather, he wanted to acquire his firearm.
“He (Matthew) told me that he and Maluska Williams were in an old board house at the Supermarket and attempted to rob the truck. Matthew said he drew his weapon on the soldier; the soldier went to draw his weapon and he (Matthew) opened fire. Matthew said that he ran, leaving Maluska behind, and he (Maluska) took up the weapon (that the soldier was carrying). ~~Adz:Right~~
Williams said he then asked Matthew if it were not possible for him to shoot the officer elsewhere about his body; to which, as he testified, the reply was, “The whole thing happened so fast!”
Additionally, Reece Williams explained that Matthew told him he gave Burgan’s firearm to Dwight Matthew, the brother of Dwight and who at the time of the incident was a member of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force. Williams further explained that Matthew told him that his brother took the firearm and hid it.
Sometime after the December 2, 2005 shooting of Bergan in Lodge Village while providing security for a CEMACO delivery truck, Williams was arrested and charged in relation to the incident.
When cross-examined by defence counsel Chesley Hamilton, Williams said he was told by Corporal Smithen, an officer who was then stationed at the Tabernacle Police Station, that charges against him would be dropped if he cooperated by providing relevant information. Williams said he cooperated and gave directions to the police as to where the firearm could be found, and it was retrieved. Williams testified that as a result of his cooperation, the charges against him were dropped at the beginning of the preliminary inquiry.
Evidence was also presented yesterday by Verlyn Chiverton, the individual who was assigned to drive the CEMACO truck at the time of the incident; Lucina White and Kishma Johnson.
Court resumes on Monday, March 3, 2008 when the hearing is scheduled to continue.
