BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE trial for two young men charged with the execution-style murder of 19-year-old Trevis Henville began yesterday (Jul. 8) at the Basseterre High Court.
On trial are 25-year-old Lennox ‘Len’ Gumbs of St. Johnson Village and 21-year-old Randy Taylor of Taylor’s Village.
On April 17, 2012, Henville was shot dead shortly after 8:00 a.m. while in Upper Shaw Avenue in McKnight and the two young men were arrested less than 48 hours after the incident.
The accused men are being represented by Chesley Hamilton, Hesketh Benjamin and Dr. Henry Browne QC who are fighting 'tooth and nail' to maintain their clients' innocence in the matter.
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Rhonda Nisbett-Browne is the lead prosecutor on the case, and in her opening statement to the jury stated that the trial is based on joint enterprise as they are of the view that the accused men acted together to have the teen killed.
Henville was pronounced dead at the scene by District Medical Officer Dr. Reginald O’Loughlin who, in his testimony yesterday morning, stated that upon examination of the body, he found no signs of life as the teen was neither breathing nor did he have a heartbeat.
O'Loughlin told the Court that he was summoned to the scene at about 8:30 a.m. on the said date by Police Officers and, upon arrival at the scene, he saw the deceased lying face upwards on the ground.
He said upon further examination, he found puncture wounds to the head and chest area which appeared to be gunshots wounds.
Also testifying for the prosecution was a Magistrate Court Clerk who read into evidence the testimony of Henville's mother, as she was unable to be present at the trial.
Her testimony stated that her son became associated with gangs at the age of 12 but, at the time of his death, he was making an attempt to change his life having been attending church and gaining employment.
Her testimony also spoke of the morning's events as she recalled them.
The Clerk also read into evidence the testimony of Dr. Stephen Jones who was also unable to attend the trial.
His testimony spoke of Henville's autopsy results which stated that he died following gunshot injuries to the head.
Other testimonies included those of Immigration Officers who have evidence to Henville's mother and Dr. Stephen Jones leaving the island of St. Kitts.
The trial continues today with the testimonies of the Police Officers who processed the scene and those who took Taylor and Gumbs into custody.
