Although his statement during the inquiry said otherwise, a police witness yesterday denied having words with the person who, during an ID parade, identified Collis Collinson as the man who shot and killed Linden businessman Albert ‘Bolo’ Joseph during a robbery.
The prosecution closed its case yesterday in the murder trial before Justice Dawn Gregory.
It is alleged that between Monday January 3, 2011 and Friday January 7, 2011, at Sunflower Street, Collinson entered Joseph’s shop and robbed him of $10,000 and a gold chain and then shot him in the abdomen.
Joseph’s daughter, Lauren Joseph was the person to identify Collinson as the man who killed him.
However, during the trial yesterday defence attorney Peter Hugh suggested to the police witness, who had conducted the ID parade, that Lauren Joseph had entered the room, looked at the men and stated that she could not identify any of them.
The witness said he could not recall that happening on the day of the ID parade.
Hugh further stated that Joseph hurriedly left the room and that he, the witness, followed her, along with another policeman, and she told them something.
The witness denied this also, stating that he never said that in his statement. But Hugh interrupted him, stating, “You have taken an oath right?”
He asked then that the policeman’s statement, which was given in the Magistrates’ Court, be shown to him. This statement contradicted what he was stating in the High Court.
Even though he agreed that his statement varied, the witness maintained that he did not speak to Lauren Joseph before and after the ID parade. “Why then did you tell the Magistrate’s Court that?” Hugh asked.
“It was a mistake sir,” the man responded.
Hugh stated that the witness was taking himself out from speaking with Lauren Joseph outside of the parade.
Albert Joseph was treated at the Linden Hospital before being transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he died.
According to reports in the media, Lauren Joseph, who was the cashier on duty, said the bandit entered the store brandishing a gun. At the time, she was in the cashier’s cage and Joseph was sitting in his usual position in front of the cashier’s cage. She had reportedly stated that the bandit demanded cash and when her father gave him, he asked for more. It was then, she said, that her father was shot.
