The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MOTHER claimed that her son was home all day around the time he was accused of the murder of a female trainee immigration officer in Victoria Gardens in 2021.

Cheryl Charlton gave testimony in the murder and attempted murder trial of her son Braheem Charlton before Justice Neil Braithwaite.

Prosecutors allege Braheem Charlton along with Demargio Lockhart shot and killed Lanisha Armbrister, 26, while she was driving in Victoria Gardens on August 14, 2021.

The defendants allegedly shot and injured Drazen Dean during the same incident.

The suspects reportedly fled the scene in an SUV.

Ms Charlton, the defence's first witness, claimed that she knew her son was home that day. She indicated that Braheem had lost his key to the house, and that he would have to come to come to her to get a key to leave.

Ms Charlton said on the morning of the murder she was doing housework at their home in Carmichael Road and that she left to get groceries around 10am. Before she left, Ms Charlton saud she saw Braheem playing games before she left and that he was watching the kids at home.

She indicated that she returned home at 12 and that Braheem assisted her with the groceries.

Ms Charlton's voice trembled when she said she knew her son was home that day and that he did not leave.

Later Ms Charlton told the court that she saw a wanted murder poster with her son on it.

When she questioned Braheem about it, he told her that it wasn't true.

Ms Charlton said her son cried on her shoulder saying he didn't do it.

When the pair went to CDU to clear up the situation, Ms Charlton claimed that they were told that there was nothing in the system for Braheem.

However, before they could leave the station Ms Charlton recalled an officer Miller stopping them, saying that Braheem was needed for questioning.

Ms Charlton said she found out her son was charged with murder later and that no one said anything to her initially.

When defense attorney Damian White asked if she had a reason to lie to the court, Ms Charlton responded that she raised her children well.

She described Braheem as affectionate and that he was not a problem child. She continued that Braheem cared for his father while he was suffering from cancer.

Ms Charlton told prosecutor Bradford McKenzie, that officer Miller only contacted her to ask if there were cameras on their corner.

She continued that she spoke to officer Miller on the phone while her son was locked up. ms Charlton said she told him about cameras on street corner and by their neighbors, but that the officer did not ask about her son's whereabouts.

Ms Charlton said she never asked for a copy of camera footage to verify her son was home.

When questioned by Mr McKenzie, Ms Charlton maintained that she was certain her son was home that day and didn't leave.

When pressed by the prosecution on if she always knew when her grown son was home, Ms Charlton indicated that she kept tabs on Braheem.

Ms Charlton said that she gave a statement to Ian Cargill, an attorney who assisted her son initially.

Mr McKenzie suggested that Ms Charlton came to court to make Braheem look good.

Ms Charlton said that she did not know Lockhart.

Brent McNeil also served as a prosecutor.