KING’S Counsel Valerie Neita-Robertson, who is representing Lance Corporal Greg Tingling, one of three members of the Jamaica Defence Force charged with murder in connection with the 2010 killing of accountant Keith Clarke, came out swinging during cross-examination of the deceased’s daughter, Britney, as the trial continued on Wednesday.

Neita-Robertson pressed her with questions aimed at testing the accuracy of her testimony which she started giving on Monday.

During examination-in-chief Britney told the court that on May 26, 2010 she arrived at her house in Kirkland Heights, Red Hills, in St Andrew, about 8:00 pm from a dance rehearsal.

She told the seven-member jury that when she arrived at the house, along with her mother, her father was not yet home. Britney also insisted that no one else was at the house and she studied for external examinations before going to bed.

But Neita-Robertson put her evidence to the test asking Britney to tell the court where she had the dance rehearsal before she reached home.

“It was a dance ministry rehearsal either at Praise Academy or at Little Theatre,” Britney said, creating a stir, as Neita-Robertson questioned why she did not remember exactly where the rehearsal took place that day.

Britney explained that leading up to a planned event rehearsals were held at both locations on different days and she could not recall where it was held that day.

Neita-Robertson pressed on with follow-up questions, asking the witness to confirm whether she truly did any studying before she went to bed that night.

“You went home that night about 8:30 pm with your mom?” Neita-Robertson asked, to which the witness said, “Yes, Ma’am.”

Neita-Robertson further questioned: “So you studied before you went to bed because studying is important to you?”

In response, Britney again said “yes”.

The next question from Neita-Robinson sought to ascertain from the witness how much time she got to study as, based on a statement she gave to the police, she reportedly said she had done other things before going to bed.

“At any time, did you say the words, ‘I arrived home with my mother Claudette Clarke about 8:00 pm and we both entered the house using the front door. Upon entering the house I went to my room, had a bubble bath, and then retired to bed between the hours of 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm,” Neita-Robertson asked.

Britney replied with a “yes” and also shared that she told the police what was important.

Neita-Robertson then asked: “Did you read over your statement after you gave it to make sure it was accurate? At the end you signed it as Britney Clarke. You signed that it was true to the best of your knowledge and belief. Look at this for me, Ma’am, is that your signature and is that your statement you gave?” To which Britney again responded, “Yes, Ma’am.”

Not easing, Neita-Robertson questioned: “At the time you gave that statement the matter was fresher in your mind than it is now? Why didn’t you put in your statement that you studied that evening or night?”

Britney told the court that she did more than just studying and taking a bubble bath. She explained that she also ate a meal.

“I don’t remember which one I did first,” she explained, prompting Neita-Robertson to ask the witness if she made up the things she was telling the court.

Britney responded telling the senior attorney that she made the statement in the presence of her pastor and the police.

Neita-Robertson then probed to find out how long the studying lasted before she went to bed.

“Miss I didn’t put a time on the studying,” the witness replied.

Neita-Robertson added, “You went to bed between 8:30 pm and 9:00 pm and you woke up at 12:00 am on May 27, 2010?”

“Yes, based on my statement, I spoke on the telephone with a friend and went back to sleep,” Britney replied, which led Neita-Robertson to suggest to her that she did not see her father when he got home on the night he was killed because she had been sleeping.

The witness stated previously in court that when her father arrived home, although her bedroom door was barely open, she saw him walk past her bedroom.

“You never said you saw your father come home and walk past your room door [in your statement]. I am suggesting to you that you told us that because you wanted to give the impression that your father came home and never came home with anybody. Your mother never bled, neither did you, thank God. Someone else was in that house bleeding and left blood in the washroom and in the living room. That is proof someone else was in that house who was injured,” Neita-Robertson said.

The witness responded telling the senior attorney that was not so.

Britney’s knowledge of the scope of her father’s work as a chartered accountant was also tested by Neita-Robertson, who probed whether she was aware that his father did tax returns for companies and individuals.

Earlier in the trial, Britney’s mother denied any knowledge that her husband was the accountant of the late former Tivoli Gardens don, Lester Coke and his son, the convicted gangster Christopher “Dudus” Coke.

“I am aware my father was an accountant and he was a very [dignified] individual,” Britney said, before denying knowledge of businessman Justin O’Gilvie, who Neita-Robertson said worked with Coke.

She also denied knowing if O’Gilvie resided approximately 500 yards away from the house she lived with her parents.

Britney is the second witness in the trial and was preceded by her mother, who completed her testimony earlier this week in the Home Circuit Court.

Also on trial for murder in relation to the shooting death of Clarke are Lance Corporal Odel Buckley and Private Arnold Henry.

Clarke was fatally shot as police and soldiers raided his house during a joint operation to nab then-fugitive Dudus Coke.

Coke, who was wanted by United States law enforcement authorities on drugs and weapons charges, was believed to be hiding at the Clarke’s residence along with seven of his cronies when members of the security forces stormed the premises.