By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
MURDER convict Ormand Leon told a magistrate yesterday how the woman accused of harbouring him during his two weeks on the run had only been found with him because he had allegedly forced her into a car.
Leon, who is currently serving 41 years in prison for murder, pleaded guilty to an escape charge while his former love interest Sharlene Stubbs pleaded not guilty to the charge of harbouring a criminal during their arraignment in February.
Stubbs maintains that she in no way attempted to aid Leon in evading police after he escaped police custody on February 2, for which he was subsequently sentenced to 24 months imprisonment.
In yesterday’s continuation of Stubbs’ trial, the accused called on Leon as a defence witness after earlier testimony that she had long severed ties with Leon.
Leon, who gave testimony by video link from the remand centre at the Department of Correctional Services, was asked by Stubbs’ lawyer Bernard Ferguson if he knew his client. Leon said he did.
“I know her from around the area and we talked on a level,” Leon added.
Mr Ferguson then asked: “Did you see Ms Sharlene Stubbs during the two weeks that you evaded police after your escape from custody?”
The witness said yes and said this was on February 16.
When asked where he saw the accused, Leon said: “I see her on East Street when I was riding. That was around 8.30 (pm).”
When asked what he did next, Leon told the court: “I saw her walking and I ride up a little ahead of her and let my (boy) call her so she could come close to the car. I tell her, ‘Let’s go, jump in the car.’”
Mr Ferguson asked: “What did she say?”
“She tell me she ain’t coming in the car but I repeated myself and tell her come in the (expletive) car,” the witness said.
“Once she saw I was serious she came in the car. When she came in the car, I drove off. She asked me where I was carrying her and I told her ‘Relax, you going with me you straight,’” Leon said.
When asked by Mr Ferguson where he took her, Leon said: “I take her with me (to) where I was, to my spot on Fire Trail Road. When I get there, I let my boy drive straight in the back and let me and her out the car,” the witness said.
Leon added that he instructed his friend to lock the gate on his way out.
When asked by the lawyer how long they were alone for, Leon said about 90 minutes or so.
“Did you see her before your escape and calling her into the car?” the lawyer asked.
“No, I didn’t see her or hear from her,” Leon said.
“During the time she was with you, did you allow her to leave?” Mr Ferguson asked.
Leon said no and when asked why, he explained that he was trying to get answers from Stubbs.
He said police came to the property not long afterwards and they were arrested. He said Stubbs had no role in his escape or evasion of the law.
When cross-examined by police prosecutor ASP Clifford Daxon, Leon was asked what had he done to compel Stubbs to stay with him during those 90 minutes.
“I threatened her to stay with me until I was ready to go. I told her ‘I want to reason with you and then I’ll let you go,’” the convict said.
“What do you mean by reason?” the prosecutor asked.
“I wanted to talk to her about the situation and how she dissed me when I was in jail, how she abandoned me...all of that I wanted to talk to her about,” the witness said.
The convict claimed that Stubbs only visited him on three occasions after his initial incarceration when she told him that she was no longer interested in a relationship.
“Did you tie her up and make her stay?” the prosecutor asked.
Leon said no but claimed he was in possession of a handgun that he did not hesitate to show her when talking with her.
Leon also claimed that he asked her about the visible bite marks on her neck and expressed displeasure at her response.
He allegedly commanded her to cornrow his hair so that he could further avoid police detection.
“Did police find a gun when they came?” the prosecutor asked. The convict said no.
“I put it to you that you did not have a gun,” ASP Daxon said
“Well I telling you I had a gun,” the witness said.
“If you did, police would have found it when they searched you and searched the home,” the prosecutor added.
“No, sir, that ain’t true,” Leon said.
The prosecutor suggested to the convict that he was trying to protect Stubbs from incarceration by giving false testimony.
“I telling the truth, just how it went down, sir,” Leon contended.
The case continues before Deputy Chief Magistrate Constance Delancy.
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