Uchence Wilson Gang Trial | | What gang? - Wilson denies being part of criminal organisation, involvement in robberies
Published:Tuesday | July 16, 2019 | 12:00 AMNickoy Wilson/Gleaner Writer
Twenty-eight-year-old Uchence Wilson, the man accused of leading a gang with tentacles across several parishes over two years, yesterday took to the stand denying that he was involved in a criminal organisation.
“The only gun mi use is the spray gun mi use fi spray mi furniture them,” Wilson said while denying the charges as the case continued in the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston yesterday.
His testimony followed a ruling by Chief Justice Bryan Sykes that Wilson and 18 of his alleged cronies had a case to answer.
However, Justice Sykes upheld no-case submissions in respect of accused Tevin Khani and Cornell White, who were released yesterday.
Responding to questions posed by his attorney, Lloyd McFarlane, Wilson, who said he is a carpenter by profession, denied participating in a number of robberies said to have taken place in St Catherine, St Ann and Kingston.
In Belize at time of robbery
In relation to a robbery in Alva district, St Ann, Wilson denied taking part, stating that he was in Belize at the time.
A document believed to be Wilson’s passport was admitted into evidence as proof of his testimony.
Under cross-examination, the prosecution asked Wilson if he knew the Crown’s first witness, who claimed to be a former member of the gang.
He said he had only seen the witness on two prior occasions, one of them being in the company of co-accused Fitzroy Scott.
Wilson also denied knowing at least five other alleged gang members, including accused Detective Corporal Lloyd Knight.
The reputed gang leader said he came to know them when they were locked up together.
Because of technical difficulties, Wilson’s cross-examination was paused, making way for Scott to take the stand.
Scott, who is believed to have been Wilson’s second-in-command, also denied being a member of a criminal organisation and participating in its alleged activities.
“I did not plan it … . I did not facilitate, participate or have any knowledge of any robbery that you’re alleging,” Scott said in answer to questions posed by the prosecution.
Wilson and his 18 alleged cronies are on trial for breaches of the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Act 2014, commonly known as the Anti-Gang Legislation, between 2015 and 2017.
They are also being tried for breaches of the Firearms Act.