Kenrick Tyson murder trial enters third day

Tuesday was another grilling and enthralling day in the murder trial of Kenrick Tyson who is charged with murdering Cecil James between 9-10 May 2009 at Hibiscus Inn in Concord.

The trial enters its third day today and the prosecution is expected to make certain applications before the court which will be followed by the testimony of the investigating officer inspector Rommel Riviere. He is expected to be the State’s final witness.

On day two of the trial on Tuesday, the prosecution, led by State attorney attached to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP,) Sherma Dalrymple and assisted by State attorney Fernillia Felix, called three witnesses to testify.

Police sergeant Constance Cuffy said on May 28, 2009 he received information that the accused, Tyson, was at large and wanted by the police for alleged murder and so, he mobilized his men from Salybia, Marigot and Calibishie. After briefing them, the group set out for the Kalinago Territory with some dressed in plain clothes, others in army fatigue and all fully armed.

On arrival in Senekou in the Kalinago Territory, the men were divided into two groups.

“On arrival at an area with a small shack we spotted two men, one of them being Tyson … he was armed with a cutlass in his hand,” Cuffy told the court.

He said he informed his men that Tyson should be approached with “extreme caution”.

Tyson, he said, started making advances on them with the cutlass and he was shot in the leg.

“He was quickly apprehended and searched, the cutlass was taken and a knife was found on him. He had a back pack in which we found a disc man,” Cuffy said.

Tyson, he said, was transported to the Marigot hospital where he was attended to by Dr. Christmas who referred him to the Princess Margaret Hospital for further medical attention.

Another witness, Nigel Warrington who worked with the deceased for five years, told the court that he was on his way home from work at the Hibiscus Inn when he spotted James’ vehicle which had crashed and had a flat tire in an area in Concord.

“I tried calling him (Cecil) did not get any answer and so I changed the tire and took the jeep back to the hotel,” he said.

According to him, he then peeped in the room where James lived and saw him lying on the bed. He called but got no answer.

He then went into the house and found James lying on his back in what appeared to be a pool of blood and there were lots of flies.

Warrington broke down and wept and the court had to be adjourned to have him compose himself.

He also recalled that on the night of the incident (at about 1:00 am), he heard the dogs in the yard barking but said he did not hear any other cry or shouting.

Reginald Nichols also took the stand to give witness to the statement which Tyson gave to the police.

Tyson, he said, was “not beaten or promised anything but gave the statement voluntarily.”

Wayne Norde and Benadette Lambert is representing Tyson. The State is expected to close its case later this week.