The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 22-YEAR-OLD murdered a man whose body was found riddled with bullets on a track road.

Foster Knowles shot and killed Omar Hanna, 23, on March 9, 2011. Hanna's body was found on land off Bacardi Road.

During a two-week trial the prosecution said Knowles killed Hanna for no reason. Evidence through witnesses presented by prosecutor Neil Braithwaite revealed Hanna was shot 11 times.

All except two bullets removed from his body and cartridges at the scene matched the 9mm silver pistol found on Knowles when he was being chased by police exactly a month after the shooting.

The prosecution also produced a confession statement in which Knowles admitted that he opened fire in Hanna's direction with his eyes closed after he was ambushed.

Defence attorney Roger Gomez II said his client was innocent and the prosecution had not produced any fingerprint evidence from the gun they claimed to have got from Knowles.

Yesterday, Justice Indra Charles summarised the evidence and the 12-member jury retired to deliberate shortly after 1pm. By 3pm they returned with a unanimous verdict - guilty of murder.

Knowles maintained his innocence when he got the chance to speak after being convicted.

Sentencing was adjourned until June 7.