‘Higgler’ accused of Klansman gang-banging freed, two others convicted
Verdicts continue to flow fast and furious in the ongoing Klansman gang trial, with the accused Lamar Simpson and Tareek James – self-acclaimed construction worker and shop attendant, respectively – being the latest to be found guilty.
Meanwhile, “higgler” Donovan Richards was the latest to be freed.
Chief Justice Bryan Sykes handed down the verdicts on Thursday morning.
The three had remained on trial on count two of the 25-count indictment brought by the Crown which charged them with membership of a criminal organisation. The count is the last being assessed by the trial judge. Since morning, a total four accused have been declared guilty while three have been released.
Simpson, who said he was a construction worker, had told the Court that his moniker “Sick head” was earned because of his football prowess. Simpson, who said he was “no top tier member”, said he was hearing of that role for the first time over the course of the trial and described himself as a law-abiding citizen who had never owned or held a gun.
“I am no don for no community, I am a man who has to stand for my family,” Simpson said tremulously while “begging” the judge “to be merciful” and find him not guilty as he was worried about the welfare of his family.
Meanwhile, James, who said he was employed to a wholesale at the front of Jones Avenue, declared that he had never laid eyes on the alleged leader of the Klansman until he began building a studio in the area.
“I never saw that man before, never even spoke to him, this is all a surprise to me,” he said at the time while telling the judge that his boom box in his cell constantly blares lyrics which say “all I want is my jeans and all I want is my freedom”, adding that he didn’t know even a “quarter” of his co-accused.
Richards, in an unsworn statement, told the court he was a higgler who was preoccupied with his mother’s “health problem” , his business and taking care of his “three kids”.
“I am not in any gang or involved in any criminal organisation,” he said.
Upon releasing Richards, the trial judge said there was no evidence of the allegations against him.
The judge is later on Thursday expected to rule on the case of Stephanie Cole-Christie, the sole female defendant.
– Alicia Dunkley-Willis