The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE murder trial into the death of Barry and Sheena Johnson was adjourned to today when defence counsel objected to a Crown witness.

One of the five men initially charged with the Deadman's Reef double murder, but has since turned Crown witness, was expected to give evidence in the Supreme Court yesterday.

However, Defence counsel Geoffrey Farquharson objected to the prosecution calling Allan Alcime to give evidence before the jury, arguing the prosecution needed to apply for a leave of the court to present the witness to provide evidence.

The jury was excused from the courtroom while Farquharson presented reasons to Justice Estelle Gray Evans as to why leave is required, citing 166 of the Criminal Procedure Code Act, regarding additional witnesses for the prosecution.

Notice

It states: "No witness who has not given evidence at the preliminary inquiry shall be called by the prosecution at any trial unless the accused person has received reasonable notice in writing of the intention to call such witness. Such notice must state the witness's name and give the substance of the evidence which he intends to give. It shall be for the court to determine in any particular case what notice is reasonable, regard being had to the time when and the circumstances under which the prosecution became acquainted with the nature of the witness's evidence and decided to call him as a witness."

Alcime and Virgil Hall were charged with Paul Belizaire, Devaughn Hall, and Kevin Dames with the murders and armed robbery of container port worker Barry Johnson, and his schoolteacher wife, Sheena. The accused men are alleged to have also stolen the couple's GMC truck.

The husband and wife, who were described as "quiet, hardworking people" were found shot to death at their residence in Deadman's Reef on September 13, 2015. It is alleged the incident occurred sometime between 9pm and 10pm on September 12, 2015.

Alcime and Hall accepted plea deals offered by the Office of the Attorney General to testify as witnesses for the Crown. The murder charges were dropped against them, but they were convicted of the armed robbery and are serving prison time.

The murder trial is into its second week, with some ten witnesses already having given evidence, including the brother, sister, and nephew of Barry Johnson; Bruno Parker, the best friend of the deceased; and several police officers. On Wednesday, the jury was also shown surveillance video footage of the murders.

On Thursday after an hour of arguments, the jury was called back and told by the judge that the matter was adjourned and would resume on Friday morning.

Justice Evans again expressed concerns about glaring stares from the gallery at the jurors and warned persons to refrain from doing so.

Mr Farquharson, Jethlyn Burrows, and Carlson Shurland appear for Belizaire, Hall, and Dames, respectively.

Counsels Erica Kemp and Neil Brathwaite appear on behalf of the Crown. The trial continues on Friday.