The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A WITNESS’ recollection of how businessman Kurt McCartney met his death led to an emotional breakdown by the victim’s brother in the Supreme Court yesterday.

The witness “AB”, who is under an anonymity order, was continuing his testimony that began Wednesday afternoon. He repeated earlier testimony that he was at a bar when he saw the victim walking with two women, one of whom he appeared to be arguing. The arguing female signalled to a man who approached and shoved McCartney, the witness said.

McCartney allegedly shoved the man back. The man pulled out a handgun and shot him in the face before fleeing into the bushes, the court heard.

The women and another man got in the nearby Hummer and rolled over the victim and headed towards West Bay Street.

Democratic National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney, the victim’s brother, left the courtroom with tears streaming down his face after the witness recounted his testimony.

He was followed by another relative, who attempted to console the former Bamboo Town MP. Mr McCartney did not return to the courtroom until some 10 minutes later with reddened eyes.

Lyndera Curry, 21, Sumya Ingraham, 26, Thorne Edwards, 23, and Okell Farrington, 31, have been in custody since November 2013 awaiting trial in the murder and armed robbery of Kurt McCartney.

A fifth person, Terry Delancy, the owner of Virgo Car Rental, was charged with being an accessory after the fact and is on $15,000 bail.

Ian Cargill is representing Delancy while Sonia Timothy represents Curry.

Ingraham is represented by Romona Farquharson-Seymour, Edwards by Terrel Butler and Farrington by Philip Hilton.

Prosecutor Roger Thompson resumed his questioning of witness “AB” yesterday and asked if he knew the name of the women he saw that night, specifically the one arguing with the deceased.

“When I first saw the (dark skinned) female I didn’t know her real name only what Thorne used to call her,” the witness said.

Mr Thompson asked the witness if he had heard anything during a visit to the Central Detective Unit, where he saw the four individuals accused of having a part in McCartney’s death.

“Wern (Okell Farrington) was telling Thorne not to let police know his alias is Wern and Thorne was telling the dark girl to give a story stating that they were together at the same time at her house. The dark girl was telling him to speak the truth,” the witness said.

“At the time, officers brought Wern back and took Thorne. A few moments later, they brought Thorne back and took the two females,” witness “AB” added.

Mr Thompson asked for the witness to be recalled at a later date.

Lawyers for the accused said they would not cross-examine “AB” until lawyers for the Crown disclosed certain documents they were ordered by the judge to disclose.

The Crown then called Herbert Knowles to the stand.

Mr Knowles, owner of the Last Man Standing bar, testified that Kurt McCartney came to his bar that night to order a cocktail but changed his mind and ordered a beer.

“He talked a few minutes and he told us he would see us later,” the witness said.

Mr Hilton, in cross-examination, asked the witness how many persons were in the bar that evening.

“Three men and a lady,” the witness said.

“You recall anyone else coming in and ordering a Black and Mild and a Guinness?” Mr Hilton probed, referring to earlier testimony from “AB”.

“I can’t recall that.... it was a slow night,” Mr Knowles said.

Ms Timothy asked the bar owner if a streetlight was located in front of his bar. Mr Knowles said no.

The lawyer asked him about the age demographic of his clientele. Mr Knowles said persons in their 30s, 40s and 50s frequented the bar and he was able to recall either the names or professions of the individuals in the bar on the evening in question aside from Kurt McCartney.

“Did anyone come there that night you didn’t know?” Ms Timothy probed.

“No. Like I said, it was a slow night,” the witness answered.

The case resumes today where “AB” is expected to be cross-examined by lawyers for the accused.

Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs is presiding over the trial.