MONTEGO BAY, St James — Gregory Roberts, the man accused of murdering 15-year-old Shineka Gray in 2017, broke his silence in court on Thursday and, in a brief statement, denied any involvement in the girl’s death.

Roberts, who was called to the stand by his attorney Leroy Equiano, made no mention of being present during the killing of the teen when he gave his unsworn statement in the St James Circuit Court. This is consistent with previous testimony provided on December 7 that in a caution statement to the police Roberts had denied being at the scene of the crime.

On Thursday, he again pointed the finger at Mario Morrison, his co-accused who pleaded guilty to Gray’s murder in September 2022. Under a plea deal Morrison was sentenced to life in prison a month later.

Roberts, who operates a taxi, testified that on the day in question Morrison, who is otherwise known as Speci, called him and asked him to take him somewhere. He said when he went to make the pick-up, three people were present — Morrison, a man, and a woman.

According to Roberts, when he indicated to Morrison that he was expecting him to be alone, Morrison replied that, his “friend and his girlfriend are travelling with me”.

Roberts said he was paid $2,000 to take the trio to Granville in St James. He said he dropped them off across from a gas station and told them that they could call him when they were ready to leave from that location.

“I left right there and I went to my babymother in Mount Salem and from my babymother, I went to [ex-girlfriend’s mother’s] house and from [her] house to [words inaudible]; that’s it,” stated Roberts.

Gray, who was a grade 10 student, was found dead three days after being reported missing. She was last seen alive in Montego Bay while on her way home from the funeral of a schoolmate.