BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - A man is presently having his case heard at the Basseterre High Court, having pleaded not guilty to shooting with intent at his arraignment.
Alex Claxton is charged with shooting at police officer Cleavon Chumney of the Delta Squad on November 17, 2011 in an alley on West Street, Newtown Basseterre.
The trial began yesterday (Sept. 26) with Dennis Merchant leading the prosecution team, while Claxton is being represented by Counsel John Cato.
According to the prosecution, Claxton, between 8:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. while in an alley on West Street on the said date, shot at Officer Chumney after he identified himself as a police and ordered him to stop. Claxton then made his escape onto Wellington Road in the vicinity of the Public Works Department.
Three witnesses including Chumney, testified on behalf of the prosecution, who rested its case yesterday.
The defence however, will try to prove that Claxton did not have a firearm in his possession and that he was the one being shot at, hence his running away, not knowing that Chumney was in fact a police officer because he did not identify himself as one.
The trial continues today with the defence mounting its argument.
