BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TWO young men, David Payne and a juvenile are currently on trial for the robbery of St. Clair Nathaniel Gumbs on May 20, 2011.
Both accused were represented by Attorney at law Chesley Hamilton as the trial began yesterday (Jan. 19) and the prosecution team is being led by the Director of Public Prosecution Paulina Hendrickson.
According to the prosecution’s claims the incident occurred sometime after 7:00 p.m. in the yard of Gumbs.
The prosecution called two witnesses, Gumbs and police officer Stuart Henry who is stationed at the Stapleton Village Police Station, before they rested their case.
According to the evidence of Gumbs - while he was in the yard of his home at New Road two assailants approached him.
Gumbs said he was shoved to the ground by Payne who told him not to move or his throat would be cut.
Gumbs said he was able to identify his attackers because the place was lit and he saw their faces.
He said the incident lasted for about five minutes and after they took his EC$600, he ran from his home to go by his cousin because he was frightened.
He also told the court that he was paid that day by his workplace.
The prosecutor also asked him if he was drunk that day to which the 51-year-old man said he only had six beers and that six beers cannot drunken him.
During the cross-examination Hamilton asked if he got paid the day in cash to which Gumbs said he had EC$600 in an envelope.
When Hamilton told Gumbs he was unsure of who robbed him, the victim replied that he knew exactly who robbed him and that he knows both accused well.
Gumbs also said that he made a report the following day at the Stapleton Village Police Station.
Police officer Henry said that he was on duty when the report was made by Gumbs and that he arrested both accused on July 6, 2011.
After the prosecution rested its case, Hamilton told His Lordship Justice Errol Thomas he wanted to make a submission in the absence of the jury.
The trial will continue on Monday, January 23.
In other court related news Elvis Bradshaw was found guilty by a 12-member jury of unlawful wounding and wounding with intent of Darren Hendrickson.
The case was tried on Jan. 17 and the incident occurred on February 9, 2011.
He will be sentenced February 2.
