The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

THE continuation of testimony into the armed robbery and murder of a Bertha’s Go-Go Ribs employee was short-lived yesterday when legal discussions were held in the absence of the jury.

Given the extent of what the legal discussions would entail, Justice Vera Watkins excused the 12-member jury from court to Friday morning when the trial into the September 8, 2009 murder of 44-year-old Nelson Goodman is expected to resume.

Goodman was gunned down outside the Poinciana Avenue, Coconut Grove establishment having been robbed around midnight of $200 of the company’s money.

Wayde Rolle Jr, 26, Leonardo Wright, 32, and David Rolle, 40, deny the charge of murder under Section 291 (1A) of the Penal Code, Chapter 84 in connection with the killing.

A charge under this section attracts the discretionary death penalty a Supreme Court judge is given by the law, if a jury returns a guilty verdict. Life imprisonment is the alternative punishment.

Evidence was not heard on Monday due to the absence of Wayde Rolle who informed the court yesterday that he had been receiving periodic medical treatment for an injured foot.

In yesterday’s brief proceedings, Inspector Derell Cox took the witness stand to speak of his involvement in the case.

The witness, stationed at the Central Detective Unit at the time, spoke of receiving certain information on the day in question, which led him to Bertha’s Go-Go Ribs around 12.35am.

It was there that he saw a male in the parking lot of the Coconut Grove establishment, lying on the floor in a pool of blood next to a van. Inspector Cox also said he saw two spent casings and a bullet.

However, when Prosecutor Vernal Collie asked the officer what he recalled about September 10, 2013, defence lawyer James Thompson said there was a significant issue that he wished to raise.

Lessiah Rolle represents Rolle Jr, while Wright and Rolle are defended by Mr Thompson and Anthony Forbes.

Mr Collie and Abagail Farrington are prosecuting the case.