Vybz Kartel attorneys raise concerns over fire at crime scene
DEFENCE attorneys in the Vybz Kartel case have raised questions as to how sections of a Havendale house, which is an alleged crime scene, could have been deliberately set ablaze.
The lawyers suggested that something untoward may have taken place at the house at 7 Swallowfield Avenue — which should have been under the custody of the police — with one attorney asking Government forensic analyst Nicola Brown-Baxter if any thought was given to swabbing the hands of police officers present at the house.
The prosecution is contending that Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams was killed at the house by Vybz Kartel (real name Adidja Palmer) and his co-accused Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Kahira Jones, André St John, and Shane Williams on August 16, 2011.
A member of the scenes of crime investigation team had visited the house on August 22, 2011 and took pictures. At the time there was no indication of a fire.
Yesterday, Brown-Baxter testified in her examination-in-chief that the garage area, bathrooms and two bedrooms were deliberately set ablaze.
Chris Tavares-Finson, who along with his father Tom Tavares-Finson, appears for Kartel, was the first to cross-examine Brown-Baxter, who had gone to the property five days later to investigate the cause of the blaze. She said that the premises could be termed a crime scene and that it could have been under the control of the police.
Questioned by Pierre Rogers, Brown-Baxter said when she went to the crime scene it was unsecured. However, she said it didn’t strike her as being strange, though crime scenes she had seen in the past were usually secured. She explained that fire scenes are usually kept secured to prevent contamination and disturbance.
Asked by Rogers if there was any thought given to swabbing the hands of the police on the scene, Brown-Baxter said “no”. She also said that she never tried finding out who on the scene had reported the fire.
Two police officers, who were formal witnesses, gave evidence.
The trial continues today with evidence from a telephone company employee.
