More
    HomecrimeProsecution Nears Close in Nigel Christian Murder Trial with One Witness Remaining

    Prosecution Nears Close in Nigel Christian Murder Trial with One Witness Remaining

    Published on

    spot_img

    Prosecutors in the murder trial over the killing of senior Customs officer Nigel Christian are nearing the end of their case, with just one witness left to testify, expected before week’s end.

    On Tuesday, before Justice Rajiv Persaud, two witnesses concluded their evidence, moving the Crown closer to closing a case that has spanned several weeks.

    A woman who had been in a three-year relationship with Christian returned to the stand to finish her testimony, during which a bag recovered at Perry Bay shortly after the killing was formally entered into evidence. She said she recognized it as Christian’s, noting he used it for his laptop and that items inside—such as tea bags and Swiss chocolate—along with its floral lining, were familiar. Under cross-examination, she accepted she could not recall certain details about the bag when first shown it by police and agreed it was not unique, but stood by her identification.

    An Assistant Superintendent of Police also continued under cross-examination. He told the court he recorded statements from the Crown’s key witness, a driver who claims he was present on the day of the killing, initially treating him as a person of interest. He confirmed the man was later interviewed as a suspect with his approval. The officer frequently said he could not recall specific details during questioning and is due to return to the stand.

    The trial centres on allegations that Saleim Harrigan, Wayne Thomas and Lasean Bully abducted Christian from his McKinnons home at gunpoint on July 10, 2020, before killing him later that day in Thibou’s.

    The Crown’s case has relied heavily on the driver’s account, in which he claimed he saw the accused force Christian into a vehicle, followed them, and later discovered the body. He also said he was asked to bring gasoline to burn items later found at Perry Bay but did not comply.

    Prosecutors have also called multiple witnesses, including family members, forensic and DNA experts, and an FBI analyst who presented phone and DNA evidence.

    The police officer’s cross-examination is set to continue Wednesday, followed by testimony from the lead investigator. The Crown is expected to close its case after that, with the defence then to begin its presentation.

    Bully is represented by Michael Archibald, Thomas by Sherfield Bowen, and Harrigan by Wendel Alexander.

    Latest articles

    Fernandez Touts Record Tourism Growth with 800,000+ Cruise Passengers This Season

    Tourism Minister and St. John’s Rural North candidate Charles “Max” Fernandez says Antigua and...

    Ministry of Education Mourns Educator Sherilyn Martin

    The Ministry of Education has expressed deep sorrow at the passing of educator Sherilyn...

    Housing Minister Says Rent-to-Own Will Help Families Without Mortgages Own Homes

    The government plans to roll out a rent-to-own housing programme aimed at helping families...

    APUA Team Heads to Dominica for Regional Lineworkers Rodeo

    APUA’s reigning CARILEC champions will travel to Dominica this weekend to compete in the...

    More like this

    Fernandez Touts Record Tourism Growth with 800,000+ Cruise Passengers This Season

    Tourism Minister and St. John’s Rural North candidate Charles “Max” Fernandez says Antigua and...

    Ministry of Education Mourns Educator Sherilyn Martin

    The Ministry of Education has expressed deep sorrow at the passing of educator Sherilyn...

    Housing Minister Says Rent-to-Own Will Help Families Without Mortgages Own Homes

    The government plans to roll out a rent-to-own housing programme aimed at helping families...