Robert Taylor’s murder trial concludes in court

robert taylor

The murder trial of twenty-seven year old Robert Taylor concluded today before Justice Adolph Lucas. A jury of twelve deliberated for over four hours before they emerged with a reduced verdict. Taylor admitted in trial that he stabbed Leslie Gentle Junior on July thirtieth, 2008 but claims it was in self defense. According to Taylor’s version of the story, Gentle exited a parked bus and ambushed him. He tried to dodge the blows, but says he was backed into a corner by Gentle. He alleged that Gentle stabbed him but he managed to get hold of the knife, which he used to defend himself. Gentle was stabbed ten times; five to the back, four to the chest and one to the forehead. He died while undergoing treatment at the K.H.M.H.  News Five spoke to Taylor’s mother following the guilty verdict for Manslaughter and not murder.

Anita Nembhard

Mr. Lester Gentle Jr. was stabbed, the doctor said about ten times, you’re saying your son was acting in self-defense but do you think he had to stab him so many times?

Mirdis Ramsey, Mother of Robert Taylor

mirdis ramsey

“I noh know.  Well basically weh happen he me get, well he get stab eena ih hand.  Ah say ih block di knife right and the knife, the docta, well the knife come through yah right.  So I guess well, I noh know weh kinda motion, ih pull out the knife right and dehn da from deh well I think everything, well I noh know but ih get stab through and the knife come pan top right.  Yo know the knife come right, yo know, and I noh know.”

Anita Nembhard:

Lester Jr. and your son were friends.  Tell us what kind of friends were they prior to this?

Mirdis Ramsey

“Well the same day he gaan by Monica’s gaan ask fi Robert mek he and Robert could go drink some more but Robert neva di deh, Robert mi deh home.  Dehn prepare some clothing fu go da Next the next day.”

Anita Nembhard

Do you know what transpired?  What led to them getting to that fight at Pound Yard?

Mirdis Ramsey

“Well da wah phone business right.” 

Anita Nembhard

Your son will be sentenced next week Thursday do you, do you believe that he should be given a harsh sentence?  He was just found guilty of manslaughter, what do you think?  What are you hoping for next week?

Mirdis Ramsey

“Well really the truth is I noh, like I kinda like, yo know, noh know.  Like at this moment ah noh, like ah cyan really say how I feel right now.”

Prosecutor, Yohhahnseh Cave, called eight persons to testify, but the main witness was Alton Flores Senior, a bus driver, who was parked at Pound Yard when the stabbing occurred.