THE testimony of a ballistics expert who was to divulge his findings from the analysis of a firearm recovered in the aftermath of a shooting in Bog Walk, St Catherine in 2018 which left two men dead and another nursing wounds, came to an abrupt halt on Monday after “administrative” issues forced an adjournment.

The detective sergeant, the latest witness to take the stand in the ongoing trial of 25 alleged members of the Klansman gang, had been established as an expert witness at the resumption of the matter on Monday, and had been presented with the firearm, three bullets, and three cartridge cases which are exhibits in the trial.

The cop had been in the process of detailing his examination and findings about the weapon and attendant ammunition when the court rose for the customary break at 1:00 pm. When the matter resumed shortly after 2:00 pm, however, a flurry of activities amongst defence attorneys and the accused named on the counts signalled that issues had arisen. After a further prolonged conference between presiding judge Justice Dale Palmer and defence and prosecuting counsel who requested permission to approach him, it was indicated that the matter would not be continuing for the day.

The trial judge noted that the adjournment was in order for the defence to be allowed to get information from the court’s registrar, and said the development was “nothing unusual” though “a little unexpected”. He said the “administrative matter” would need to be settled for the trial to continue. That resolution he said should happen by this morning.

The shooting incident is the substance of counts nine, 10 and 11 on the 32-count indictment produced by the Crown. Count nine charges alleged faction leader Tesha Miller and his co-accused Kirk Forrester with “facilitating the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation” — the February 24, 2018 murder of Leon Burke in St Catherine. Meanwhile, count 10 further charges Miller and Forrester with facilitating the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation, the murder of Kemar Williams. Count 11 further charges them with knowingly facilitating the commission of a serious offence by a criminal organisation, the wounding with intent of (name withheld).

In April, a detective sergeant who initially led the investigations into the shooting, said on the day following the incident, based on information he received, he returned to the crime scene and went to the rear of the building where he discovered a black plastic bag containing the Taurus 9 mm handgun which he later examined and turned over to the government forensic lab for analysis. While being led through his evidence by an acting deputy director of public prosecutions, the cop was able to recite from memory the serial number of the mystery firearm and other details before that weapon, the magazine and three rounds were tendered and admitted into evidence as exhibits after being identified.

The cop, in being cross examined, also said that “based on information…received…the recovered weapon was one of the weapons used”.

The matter resumes today in the Home Circuit Division of the Supreme Court.

— Alicia Dunkley-Willis