Campbell-Collymore murder video draws emotions from parents, accused husband

One of the hit men in the daring daylight murder of businesswoman Simone Campbell-Collymore had snatched her handbag after, along with his crony, pumping multiple gunshots into her taxi.

In a video recording of the January 2, 2018, shooting, shown yesterday during the murder trial in the Home Circuit Court, the shooter, who was firing from the driver’s window of the taxi, was seen running away from the scene, clutching the woman’s handbag.

The 32-year-old woman, described by a relative as “the consummate wife, mother and businesswoman” and the “centrepiece” of the family, was shot 19 times at the gate of her Stanley Terrace, St Andrew, home on January 2, 2018.

Taxi driver Winston Watson, 36, who was transporting her at the time, was also killed in the attack. He sustained five shots, including a fatal wound to his head.

SHOW OF TEARS

During the playing of the video, her husband, Omar ‘Best’ Collymore, who is accused of plotting her murder, was heard sniffling repeatedly and appeared to be in tears.

Collymore was also seen wiping his nose with his bare hand and wiping his eyes after removing his glasses from his face.

The businesswoman’s mother was also later observed exiting the courtroom in tears after watching the video.

Collymore is being tried for the double murder, along with Michael Adams, Dewayne Pink, and Shaquille Edwards.

They are each being tried for two counts of murder and a count of conspiracy before Justice Leighton Pusey.

A forensic analyst, who had collected a copy of the video from the camera system at Forest Ridge Apartments, yesterday narrated the video during his testimony before the seven-member jury, consisting of three women.

Describing what he saw, he said that, on the day in question around 3: 56 p.m. (the system time was one minute faster than actual time), a blue Toyota Corolla motor car pulled up at the entrance of the complex. Two men on two motorcycles, which were seen following the car, stopped a short distance away.

THE ATTACK

But, as the car waited to be let inside, the two pillion riders ran to both sides of the front windows and gunshots were heard, he said.

One of the shooters, who was seen with a bag, was observed opening the door on the driver’s side and firing inside while the other shooter fired from the front passenger window.

Continuing his narration, the witness said the car then ran through the gate and the men were then seen going towards the car before one of the men reached inside and grabbed the handbag.

He noted that one of the men was seen wearing a hat. That person was seen firing from the driver’s window.

In the video, none of the men were seen in masks.

Meanwhile, a crime scene investigator, who also gave evidence, recalled that several spent casings were observed on the roadway leading towards the apartment.

He said a red substance, which appeared to be blood, was also observed along the roadway and on the driver’s door. The witness also noted that the windshield was shattered.

Describing the injuries that he had observed on the woman, he recalled that Campbell-Collymore had several wounds to her upper body, including a wound to her face.

As the witness gave evidence, the businesswoman’s father was observed with his head lowered in his lap while being consoled by his wife.

Defence lawyers did not cross-examine the forensic analyst or the crime scene investigator.

The trial continues today.

tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com