The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Court Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN gave testimony in Magistrate’s Court yesterday in his continuing trial for allegedly threatening to kill a police officer with a gun after an argument in traffic near Baillou Hill Road.

Brandon Ebanks, represented by attorney Ciji Smith-Curry, recounted to Magistrate Samuel McKinney his side of events for his charges of threats of death and assault with a deadly weapon against a police officer.

According to the accused, on August 15, 2021, at around 7.30am, he was returning home in his vehicle from work at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre where he works as a patient care assistant when he encountered Officer Rolle on Baillou Hill Road South, near Soldier Road.

Ebanks said as he was approaching the intersection, he saw a car coming down honking profusely. Growing concerned, he turned onto Baillou Hill Road to inquire into the driver’s (Officer Rolle’s) behaviour. It was during this conversation that Ebanks called Rolle’s actions uncalled for. Ebanks also claimed Rolle was not in police uniform at the time.

This exchange then escalated as both Rolle and Ebanks began cursing each other in their vehicles on the road near SC McPherson. Ebanks said that as the light changed Rolle beckoned for him to follow him, which the accused indicated he only did because it was on his route home.

After Rolle crossed the lights at Baillou and Carmichael, he turned and pulled alongside Ebanks opposite the Shell Gas Station. It was at this time that the accused said he threw up his left hand and cursed at Rolle saying what he was dealing with. Rolle then reached to his left in his vehicle making Ebanks concerned that he was about to draw a weapon. As a result Ebanks fled the scene only for Officer Rolle to pursue him, to which Ebanks said he had to overtake multiple cars to try to avoid him without success.

It was during this chase that Ebanks noticed a patrol car which intercepted and arrested him. While lying on the ground handcuffed, the accused claims Officer Rolle approached him with a silver cored handgun in his hand and cursed at him saying “Y’all don’t know who y’all be f’ing with”. The accused further said Rolle kicked him while he was on the floor and that when authorities searched his vehicle, they found no weapon.

Ebanks went on to say that he never owned a firearm and that he only realised Rolle was a police officer during his arrest as the complainant never indicated as such in their prior exchange.

During cross-examination, the prosecution called Ebanks the aggressor in this incident, claiming he threatened to kill Officer Rolle, which Ebanks denied.

The prosecution put it to the accused that he did threaten a police officer as Ebanks admitted to being intercepted by a police vehicle during the incident.

Ebank’s trial was adjourned to September 9 for his defence to submit its closing arguments.