By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A MAN told a Supreme Court jury yesterday that he knew the identity of his friend’s shooter because he was familiar with his voice.
The witness, giving testimony through video conferencing, told the 12-member panel how his walk with two friends through a street on March 4, 2011 turned fatal for Elroy Wilson.
Jamal Morley, 39, is on trial before Justice Vera Watkins accused of murdering Wilson on the night in question.
Wilson was found semi-conscious by police with gunshot shots to the stomach and upper left side of his back. He was taken to hospital by ambulance, where he died a few hours later while undergoing surgery.
In yesterday’s proceedings, prosecutor Desiree Ferguson questioned the witness of his account of the events that unfolded that night.
“I was entering West End Avenue and we walked halfway through when we were approached by Gargamel,” the witness said.
“I notice a communication and after that Gargamel came over and three shots were fired. My friend Elroy fall to the floor on his stomach. He asked me to help him and I dialed 919 and I left the scene.”
“How do you know it was Gargamel?” the prosecutor asked.
“I heard the voice and I saw a person in the dark,” the witness answered.
“How long did you know Gargarmel?” the prosecutor then asked. The witness said he knew Gargamel for “30 years or so.”
“Why didn’t you stay with your friend?” Ferguson asked.
“I was in fear,” the witness said.
Morley’s lawyer, Keith Seymour, asked the witness at what time of day did the incident occur.
“It was night,” he said.
“What time this was?” the lawyer further probed.
The witness said it was around 8.30pm or 9pm.
“I did say it was night...it was dark,” the witness added.
“And all you heard was a person’s voice that you recognised?” Mr Seymour probed.
The witness said yes.
“Can you confirm there was only one person in the area where you heard this voice?” the lawyer asked.
The witness said he could and was asked if he could see the person to make out a description.
“I couldn’t see a person in the dark,” the witness said.
“So you cannot tell this court it was just one person because you couldn’t see in the dark,” Mr Seymour suggested.
“You can hear a voice but you can’t see,” the witness insisted.
“What if they were silent?” the lawyer put to the witness.
“Like I said I heard a voice,” the court heard.
“Is there a particular reasons you left the scene?” the lawyer asked.
The witness maintained he was in fear for his life.
“Would it be fair to say you were in fear that the police would arrest you for shooting him?” Seymour asked.
“No...I was in fear for my life,” the witness said.
Following the witness’ evidence, prosecutor Laneil Williams asked for an adjournment in the matter given prior legal discussions held in the absence of the jury.
The trial resumes today at 10am.
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