The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A JUDGE has ruled that a key witness in the retrial of Bruce Colebrooke for the 2012 murder of Aboyami Sargent will testify anonymously, despite objections from the accused.

Senior Justice Cheryl Grant Thompson decided as the case progresses. Colebrooke, previously convicted in 2015, was granted a retrial after the Court of Appeal ruled that the evidence of an anonymous witness was questionable.

Keod Smith, the defendant’s attorney, argued that the ruling would breach Colebrooke’s constitutional right to a fair trial, as he would not be able to confront his accuser.

While Justice Thompson acknowledged the defendant’s right to face his accuser, she considered the safety of the witness, given the small size of the anation and the potential for deadly reprisal.

For this reason, she ruled that the witness’s identity will be concealed from the defendant, and their voice will be digitally altered to ensure clarity while maintaining anonymity. However, both the judge and the jury will be permitted to view the witness in person.

The defendant’s lawyer  also will be allowed to view the witness but will be bound by a confidentiality agreement preventing them from disclosing the witness’s identity to the defendant, should they recognise them.

Colebrooke will remain on bail until his retrial, which will proceed before Justice Thompson at a later date.