The court heard from two state witnesses on Monday in the manslaughter trial against Stebin Valentine who is charged for the death of Charlesworth Christopher Jr.
The incident allegedly took place in 2009 at Portsmouth.
Director of Public Prosecution, Gene Pestainea told the court that on August 30, 2009 at about 1:30 in the morning, the deceased was sitting in front of his house with some friends when the accused came and sat among them. Moments later the accused leaned forward and said to the deceased “watch that.” Soon after there was a loud noise, the deceased fell back and the accused ran away. The deceased was taken to the hospital and was pronounced dead.
He reportedly died of a gunshot wound to his head.
Ashton Joseph, the cousin of the accused testified on behalf of Christopher. “I was awaiting a friend outside of Jr’s house. I was on the road. There were about five other people there,” he told the court.
Joseph claimed that he heard his cousin and the accused speaking but the conversation only caught his attention when he overheard the deceased saying “let me see it.”
The witness recalled Valentine taking something from the side of his waist and while passing it to the deceased a loud explosion was heard. He continued, “After the explosion I saw Jr with his arm outstretched and falling back slowly. He hit the ground. The accused stood up from the stool and said, “Boy look at what I do! I running home!” while watching the gun in his hand.”
The witness sobbed uncontrollably as he described the events of that morning.
Under cross examination by defence attorney Dawn Yearwood-Stuart, Joseph said that he was not sure if Christopher and Valentine were good friends and Valentine appeared both shocked and frightened after the incident.
Dr. Carl Munroe a medical officer at the Princess Margaret Hospital was another witness for the state. Dr. Munroe told the court that the patient (Charlesworth Christopher Jr.) came into the hospital by ambulance.
He explained that on arrival the patient was gasping for breath, had a wound to his head and had blood secretions from his mouth. “I tried to stabilize him by setting up oxygen and IV lines and the patient was unresponsive. I administered CPR to no avail and the patient was pronounced dead at 3:30 a.m,” the doctor testified.
The court is expected to hear from the police photographer and other witnesses on Tuesday morning.
Dawn Yearwood Stuart represents the accused while Gene Pestainea assisted by Athlene Nesty and Clement Joseph represent the state.
The officers i believe are very right on reducing the charge to manslaughter. the question is Stebin was on that night a threat to society carrying an unlicence gun,he was drunk,he was about smoking illgal drugs weed,and even after he yet to surrender the gun.his action on that night was unbecoming he caused himself to be in a position where by he recklessly caused the guy death
All those of u tht defendin stebin, all u wicked, stebin was not a cool dude at all tht was not the only gun he had and because he no he had guns he think he could do anything he want, y wen they say bring all fire arms in he did not bring the gun? If he did not mean to do the killin y he did not leave d gun in stead of bringin it to the police he went and hide it sayin he kill a man
the fact that stebin had d gun on him,he had intentions now all kinds of medical foolishness kicking up,he know,he willfully did it,he nit sorry! junior is gone we all in possi sad and sorry but stebin shid pay for that,all kinds of impossible things happening to him now everytime for court! stebin u will PAY, junior didnt do u anything,u came stood der and said ‘watch that’.it was will full and u aint sick nor mentally ill now. trix are for kids face yuh jail boss
stupesssssss “stebs hold strong” all of allu dat supporting “stebs” in all this are just as guilty!! allu hands washed with Jr blood! Oh so it was accident and he can just get off with a slap on the wrist? If I ever get the opportunity to pay back “stebs” for taking Jr life………..hmmmmm……i hate “stebs” and his mom “r” with a passion!!!
Hmm. A tragic story. If you cannot even tell when a gun’s safety lock is off, what were you doing with a gun, for god’s sake? He himself could have been killed with an unlocked firearm under his shirt, for crying out loud!
well in d situation we all have 2 pray.on d other hand both parents have 2 pray and on the min while treat other ppl children rite.4 justice 2 serve.do unto 2 other…………
stebs hold on strong…..i will be by u through all this. i know u a truly sorry n that it was an accident..God will see u through this keep ya head up star
every dog has their day and stebin yours will come. U want it to appear like is an accident yet you refuse to give up the gun. U saying you never shoot after..pleading not guilty. But jr have to hunt you. doh worry!!!
The accused has to rot in hell seated at the right hand of Satan for what he did to Jr. Took d boy’s life just like that!!! and infront his mother’s door….how would u feel if the blood of ur dead son was spilled infront of ur door R? And even getting lawyer for that murderer son of yours??? you both are scum of the earth
there’s no need for you to be attacking the boys mother like that… i think you would have hired a lawyer if it was you’re son as well… only God knows what happened that night, everything happens for a reason and God knows best. Just relax.
This is disgusting response to attack R just like that. The woman do nothing but raise a boy for all her life and then this happens. It’s not her fault. She’ll always believe her son did it in accident. Put yourself in her shoes. Sick.
oh shut up C!! I was there first hand and saw and heard what “R” did and said. She is just as guilty as her murderer son! She and him should rot in jail for him taking Jr’s life. Accideent my @#&!!! Put yourself in Jr’s mother position….ur son’s blood spilled infront ur door, the blood taking days to wash away no matter how much u try and wash it away……….
I pray and hope with all my might that the “accused” receives the fullest brunt of the law! Jr was taken from us …. right infornt his mother’s door…..premeditated or not the “accused” has to pay for what he did….while we have to bring flowers and clean Jr’s grave, the “accused” has been out on bail for the longest while, living, working…..Jr was only 22 …. he lived no life yet, he had no children, he was just a light hearted, affectionate and loving young man who got his life robbed. Only God knows >….. I miss my cousin dearly and I wish the courts would treat this as seriously as they treat drug related offences.
stebin doe fraid jah has this one ..he aloone knows how ur sorry and anyone who knows no can see that this wasnt intentional……
So sorry to hear about this…really sad, but tell me was this gun a license firearm? and if no why on earth was it doing there and in a particular manner where it went off without pulling the trigger. Totally ridiculous and unforgivable if you ask me and I hope I am wrong here about the facts because I do not know them. Guns are very dangerous and I hope some people learn from this terrible mistake…so sad! Even licensed Firearm holders are asked to exercise great restraint and be very responsible about their Guns so for illegal ones they have no place in our beloved society. God Help Us all.
mistakes happen
stebin and Jr were best of friends. i dont think stebin did that on purpose. those of you judging, were guys there when the incident happened. shut the hell up! am not takin any sides. God knows what happened and only he alone..
u shut ur mouth. Best of friends???? I am his direct family and i think i would know if Stebin was his best of friend. a Best friend wouldn’t endanger another friend’s life so.
We miss you cuz.
Only God knows what will be the outcome….
Real sad event for both families. I only hope that the young man has learnt his lesson from this and stay away from illegal guns. This surely seems like an unfortunate accident. Hopefully the penalty won’t be too harsh and the young man can get to truly reflect and move on with his life, and hopefully begin to make a meaningful contribution to society.
waw.thats a sad story .i just wish our young men would put the guns away.he didnt mean to kill him but he was carrying a gun that he shouldnt have .let god be the judge in that case .one young man gone and the life of another might just be wasted
Well as i have read this. It didin’t seem that the man had no intention of killing him. It was an accident that he have to pay for. And he had no right to have this kind of weapon in his care. Let justice be served.
Agreed. Consequence of his actions. A reduced sentence would be fair in such a case.