The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

THE man accused of pulling the trigger that killed an immigration officer and his girlfriend following a failed plot to take the officer’s gambling winnings elected to give sworn testimony yesterday when called on to respond to the allegations.

Zintworn Duncombe, 28, James Johnson, 22, Cordero Saunders, 26 and 28-year-old Daniel Coakley appeared before Justice Indra Charles to give their response to the Crown’s case that they were responsible for the disappearance and murders of Shane Gardiner and Tishka Braynen, whose decomposed bodies were found in Andros some 266 feet apart in December 2014.

Justice Charles informed the men that they could choose to remain silent – as the burden to prove guilt lied with the prosecution – or give sworn testimony and be subjected to cross-examination. She also advised them of their legal right to call witnesses as well.

While Johnson, Coakley, and Saunders indicated that they would remain silent; Duncombe said he will take the witness stand and call witnesses in his defence.

His lawyer, Ian Cargill, however, asked for an adjournment to Tuesday morning to ensure the attendance of his client’s witness. The request was granted.

Johnson, Coakley, Saunders and Duncombe are on trial before Justice Indra Charles facing two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and attempted armed robbery.

The victims of the crimes, allegedly committed between November 24, 2013 and December 21, 2013, were Gardiner and Braynen who were allegedly killed after a failed plot to take $8,000 in gambling winnings from Gardiner.

Braynen, of Cargill Creek, and Gardiner, who lived in Love Hill, both in Central Andros, were reported missing around 1.45pm on November 24, 2013. Gardiner had recently been assigned to the island by his department in Nassau.

On December 21, 2013, police in Andros discovered the human remains of a man with “items related to a female”. However, due to the state of decomposition at the time, police were unable to make an immediate identification of the remains.