Murder-accused takes the stand
Says he saw Searles and Woodley shooting at him

By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

Defence Force Private Louis Richards

The Defence Force Private has been charged with one count of murder and two counts of wounding with intent, and the prosecution alleges that on the night in question Richards was at 2Pac Bar in Old Road when he was shot by seemingly unknown persons.

The prosecution is also alleging that upon being shot, Richards took cover and after emerging, as stated by a number of witnesses, he was seen waving his gun in different directions before pointing it at and shooting Addren ‘Ado’ Searles. The Crown’s case also states that Clyde Williams, who was in proximity to Searles, was shot and killed by the same bullet which struck him (Searles).

The prosecution is also endeavouring to prove that sometime after, Richards, along with three other armed individuals, walked to the eastern end of Old Road and shot Jevon ‘Herbie’ Woodley, unprovoked.

While under oath, the accused, before giving his account of what happened on August 3, 2007, told the court that he knew both Searles and Woodley since they were children and, being a member of the Strike Force, has had reason to search them both.

In recounting the specifics of the August 3, 2007 incident, Richards explained that he left his Wingfield Road home bound for work but stopped at 2Pac’s Bar as a form of protection. He further explained that threats had been made against him and his decision to stop at 2Pac’s Bar was an endeavour to gain some protection as many persons hang out in the area.

Richards said it was in the evening when he got there and he was seated at table located at the left of the bar, next to the drain of the island’s main road; a table which he alone occupied.    ~~Adz:Right~~

The soldier further explained that he heard the report of gunshots which came from the alley next to Ms. Watson’s shop.

“While sitting there…I head a sound went off. I turned in the direction and saw three guys. I was able to identify two of them…Addren Searles and Jevon Woodley. Both had guns firing in my direction.”

Richards told the court that he took cover and when he realised the persons were still firing, he sought alternative cover from the gunfire. Richards explained that because of what had happened to another Defence Force soldier, he drew his service pistol and “on my way from behind the partition I saw Ado coming from the same direction where shots were fired from. I took one aimed shot and fired in his direction…He ran off.”

Richards explained that he walked as far as Station Street to see if he could get any assistance, and after he did not get any he went to this children’s grandmother’s home where he called for assistance. He said he received assistance from soldiers. He further explained that they (himself and the soldiers) travelled by foot to the eastern end of Old Road where “about 20 feet from the ghaut…I saw about three ladies and Jevon Woodley sitting down. Jevon Woodley then got up and he started raising his voice saying, ‘me ain’t fread allyou. Allyou can’t do me nothing’”. 

At that point, Richards said, Woodley started reaching into his pants and “seeing him before firing at me with a weapon…I fired two shots in his direction”, after which he ran off.

Richards told the court that he, sometime after, received assistance from other members of the Strike Force. He also explained that he told lead investigator in the case, SGT Herbert, and others that he saw Woodley and Searles firing at him.  

While under cross examination, Richards told the court that he fired the shot at Searles “to slow him down” but was not certain that the bullet caught him. When asked if he was aware that the round he fired struck and killed Clyde Williams, Richards told the court that he did not see Williams on the night of the incident. He also said he was not certain if the shots he fired at Woodley caught him.

Richards explained that while he was receiving medical attention for his injuries at the Joseph N. France (JNF) General Hospital, he was informed that Searles was shot and Williams had died.

The soldier maintained that on the night when he was shot in the buttock, he saw more than just gunfire and was able to identify two of his attackers, Searles and Woodley.

The court was told by the soldier that he gave a statement to the police on August 4, 2007 while he was at the (JNF) General Hospital, and when asked if he told the officer who his attackers were, he said yes and explained that he did not know if that piece of information was included in the statement. He noted, however, that the statement was read back to him.

The prosecution suggested to Richards that after he got shot, he “had time to cool down” but “got angry and lost it”. The accused told the court that after the first set of shots rang out, he did not call for assistance but denied that he “took matters into your own hands”.  Richards also denied brandishing or wielding his gun as the prosecution witnesses claimed.

The accused told the court that the prosecution witnesses have lied under oath, as contrary to what they have indicated no one endeavoured to take his firearm from him or was anyone trying to calm him down.

Richards explained that he had complained to members of the St. Kitts Nevis Defence Force of threats made against him, but he was told to report them to the police station, which he did.

When asked if he had ever performed a search on the deceased, Richards replied in the negative and declared that Williams fathered two of his cousin’s children.