The trial of Leonard Allicock, who is accused of chopping another man to death, began yesterday in the High Court before Justice Diana Insanally.
Allicock is accused of killing Wendell Tappin on New Year’s Eve in 2009, at Hill Street, Albouystown. It is alleged that Allicock murdered Tappin, 23, of Lot 89 La Penitence Street, Albouystown by chopping him about his body while he was on his way to collect a cell phone in Hill Street.
Allicock is being represented by attorney Euclin Gomes while prosecutors Mercedes Thompson and Natasha Backer are presenting the state’s case.
Thompson urged the jury to return a “fair and just” verdict at the end of the trial. She said Tappin was attacked by some men and Allicock was one of those men.
Yesterday, a 12- member jury was empanelled and four witnesses were called to testify. Police witness Adrian Jeffrey, the arresting officer, told the court that when he arrived at the crime scene, he saw a pool of blood in front of a truck. He said acting on information he arrested four persons. Osman Semple, another police witness, said Allicock was picked up at the scene of the crime but refused to give a statement after his arrest.
However, when Gomes cross-examined him, he was unable to accurately identify Allicock in the prisoner’s dock.
The case will continue today.
