Osamo Stevens, who is on trial for attempted murder, today led his defence during which he vehemently denied being involved in the shooting, and made claims that the Police are trying to wrongfully implicate him.
The 24-year-old stands before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and a mixed jury on two charges, the first being that on Saturday, December 23, 2007 at Sand Reef, Annandale he shot Devon Spencer, also called “Housetop”, with the intent to commit murder.
The second charge is that on the same day, he inflicted grievous bodily harm on the said Devon Spencer with the intent to main, disable and disfigure him.
The trial commenced on Tuesday, and the prosecution team closed its case on Wednesday after presenting their four witnesses.
Detective Mahendra Tooknauth testified that during the period of the incident he was stationed at the Vigilance Police Station attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
He related that on January 23, 2008 he made personal contact with the accused at the CID Headquarters, Eve Leary where the accused told him that an individual who he identified as “Fine Man” gave him the gun to kill Spencer if he wanted to start ‘liming’ with him.
Tooknauth swore that he did not use force, fear or threat in his questioning. Further, under cross examination by the accused, Tooknauth denied that he deprived the accused his rights. Under jury re-examination, the witness stated that he did inquire further about “Fine Man” but did not divulge much about his findings.
Today, the unrepresented accused made a brief unsworn testimony, telling the Court that he did not commit the offences for which he stands indicted. Stevens alleged that he knew both Spencer and “Fine Man” as they all lived in the same area.
He stated that he was not a friend of either of the men, and did not shoot anyone. He further alleged that the Police were trying to frame him for the shooting, and he was innocent. Tomorrow, the matter will be summed up and the jury will be delivering the verdict.
