By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
LEGAL discussions were held yesterday in the absence of a jury hearing evidence in the trial of two men accused of a triple murder.
The discussions, which came at the conclusion of the prosecution’s case against Shawn Knowles, 43, and Timothy Saunders, 36, lasted several hours.
It is alleged that on July 30, 2011, the men entered the victims’ Montgomery Avenue apartment that afternoon and fatally shot Edward Braynen, Chackara Rahming and Erica Ward, who was eight months pregnant at the time.
However, they were not charged in connection with the death of the unborn baby because the foetus under Bahamian law is not considered a person.
Both men have denied the charges.
The jury has heard testimony that two shotguns were recovered after Knowles hid them in the bushes. According to the prosecution’s case, shotguns were used in the commission of the murders.
However, questions were raised by lawyers for the accused men as to whether the firearms presented in court were the same ones that were allegedly recovered by police on July 31, 2011.
The jury also heard testimony that Saunders saw a man known to him as “Shawn” commit the crimes.
However, the record of interview has been challenged as a fabrication and the result of police brutality.
Knowles is represented by Romona Farquharson-Seymour and Saunders by Lennox Coleby.
Cordell Frazier and Randolph Dames are prosecuting the case.
The case resumes today.
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