Published On:Thursday, September 02, 2010

THE prosecution opened its case yesterday against a man accused of attempting to rob an armored truck in December 2007, imploring jurors not to concern themselves with anything that has been reported in the media about the case.

While noting that Ryan Butler is charged with attempted armed robbery while being concerned with others, lead prosecutor Anthony Delaney told jurors they need not concern themselves with persons not in the court at the time.

The prosecutor alleged that on December 21, 2007, Butler and others, while armed, attempted to rob armored truck driver Andrew Knowles but failed.

Mr Delaney told the jury Butler was shot during an exchange with police following the robbery attempt. He told jurors they had to be satisfied that Butler committed an act or series of acts toward the commission of the offence which were more than preparatory steps.

Detective Sergeant Kervin Jones, a scenes of crime officer, was the first prosecution witness to testify yesterday.

He said that while on duty around 10.05am on December 21, 2007, as a result of information he received, he and two other officers went to the Prince Charles Shopping Centre.

Jones said that when he arrived, he saw and spoke with another officer who gave him certain information.

He subsequently photographed the scene, noting several vehicles with gunshot holes as well as fired and unfired bullets in the parking lot.

Another officer, Foster Rolle, said that around 9.45am while on duty at the East Street South Police Station, he received information by radio that prompted him to go to the Prince Charles Shopping Centre.

He said that after speaking with an officer at the scene, he observed a red Kia Spectra parked east of the Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Rolle said the vehicle had several apparent gunshot holes on the left side, adding that he noticed four fired shells on the road south of KFC.

Officer Rolle said he also took photographs of the scene.

The case continues today before Senior Justice Jon Isaacs.