Murder trial nears end in Supreme Court

A man charged with murder has at least one more day before he knows his fate. After two full days of testimony, the prosecution, defence, and judge in the murder trial of twenty-five year old Hillaire Sears will address the jury on Wednesday before a verdict is given. Sears is charged in the killing of Rodwell Neal, who was gunned down inside his apartment on Kraal Road on the morning of March eighteenth, last year. Several witnesses testified in court today, including forensic expert, Doctor Mario Estradabran, firearm examiner, Albert Ciego, P.C. Mario Salam, Sergeant Alden Dawson, Corporal Martin Rodriguez, and the accused.

Estradabran said he observed five bullet wounds on the body of Neal, who died from lung damage caused by a gunshot wound to his chest. Ciego said one of the bullets taken from Neal’s body, a thirty-eight special Winchester brand bullet penetrated soft tissue from a distance of about ten to twenty feet away.

For his part, Sears told the court that he woke up with a hangover around noon on the day of the crime and after taking a shower, headed over to visit one of his friends who lived on Petticoat Alley. He went by the same house the next day, and said he only became aware of the incident when police went to look for him there. This friend, who could provide an alibi for Sears, allegedly could not be located because he has since moved. Another alibi witness, a neighbour of Sears on Plues Street, has also relocated and cannot be reached. Prosecutor in the case is Oswald Twist, Lutchman Sooknandan represents Sears and Justice Christopher Blackman is the trial judge.