Witness in Uchence Wilson Gang trial kicked from two schools
Published:Wednesday | March 20, 2019 | 12:00 AMNickoy Wilson/Gleaner Writer
A former member of the Uchence Wilson Gang yesterday admitted to being expelled from two schools, but not for the reasons suggested by a defence attorney, as the trial for the reputed gang leader and his 23 alleged cronies continued at the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston.
Attorney-at-law Christopher Townsend, who is representing the witness’ aunt Judith Johnson, asserted that the witness was kicked from a primary school in the Corporate Area for stealing from a teacher and his peers.
The witness rejected the assertion saying that he was asked to leave the school because “me buss waa boy head”.
Townsend also suggested that the former gang member was kicked from another school, also in the Corporate Area, for stealing from a teacher’s bag.
But offering another reason, the witness said he was expelled from that school because his uniform was too tight.
The former gang member was testifying via video link from an undisclosed location.
The witness also admitted to assaulting his father and being locked up for it, but he denied the assertion that it was because he was beaten for stealing from his aunt.
Meanwhile, attorney-at-law Donald Bryan said that his client, Dane Edwards, was not a part of any gang.
But the witness said, “I do not agree with your suggestion, sir.”
Bryan also asked the witness if he was aware that his client was in custody up to November 2015.
The witness said, “I am not taking down dates when him go prison and when him come out, sir,” citing that Edwards was always in and out of custody.
The attorney further asked the witness if he was aware that Edwards was using crutches for a few months.
“I don’t know, “ the witness said.
Edwards is also represented by attorney-at-law Alexander Shaw.
Later in the proceedings, the witness was questioned by attorney-at-law Sasha-Gay Shaw.
She suggested that her client, Odeen Smith, otherwise known as ‘Brinks’, was not a part of the robbery that took place at a house in Kellits, Clarendon.
In response, the witness said that Smith was not on the robbery but maintained that he pointed out the house to the gang members.
The former gang member admitted that he did not mention Smith in his statement to police by name.
Wilson and 23 co-accused persons, which include four women and a policeman, are on trial for breaches of the anti-gang legislation for crimes allegedly committed between 2015 and 2017.