The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport 
Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – Denie Osias, on trial before the Supreme Court yesterday, denied stabbing to death his sister’s boyfriend, Calvin Stuart, in July 2012. The trial is expected to wrap up on Monday with closing arguments from the defence and prosecution. Senior Justice Hartman Longley will give his summation of the case and turn it over to the jury for deliberation.

Osias, 28, is represented by lawyer Paul Wallace-Whitfield. He is accused of killing Calvin “Smokey” Stuart, 26, following a domestic dispute between the couple. The incident occurred at Carissa Street and Sunridge Road sometime around 9:30pm on July 11, 2012. Prosecutor Erica Kemp of the Attorney General’s Office is appearing on behalf the Crown.

Stuart was stabbed three times. He was taken in a private vehicle to the Rand Memorial Hospital, where he later died of his injuries. According to evidence, Stuart was stabbed in the chest, stomach, and abdomen. He sustained severe abdominal injuries, as portions of his intestines were exposed.

The deceased and Osias’ sister are known for having arguments. On the day in question, the sister called her brother, Denie, and asked him to come to assist her because Smokey was beating her up. During his sworn testimony, Osias said when he arrived at his sister’s, Smokey threatened to shoot him. He said he walked past him and went over to his sister.

Osias claims that Smokey threw the first blow. They started fighting and Smokey pulled a knife from his waist, he alleges.

He said he managed to get the knife from Smokey. During the altercation, they both fell on a fence, but Osias claimed he does know how Smokey was stabbed.

Testimony from a prosecution witness, however, contradicts his story. The witness told the court that she saw Osias pull a knife from his waist. The witness testified that Osias attacked Smokey. She said Osias was making punching motions. Both men were covered in blood. After the fight ended, she said Smokey was injured.

The witness said Denie, who did not appear to be injured, walked over to a puddle of rainwater and washed his hands. That is when she saw the knife in his hand, she said.

She further testified that Osias took off his bloody shirt, threw it across his back and left the scene.

Osias maintained that he never stabbed Smokey, saying he disarmed him. He admitted that he was the only person with a knife and that he was in control of the knife. The trial resumes on Monday.