Taxi driver Joseph Williams who was accused of murdering Victor Da Silva yesterday pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter, and will be sentenced on November 6, pending the presentation of a probation report.
The indictment against Williams, was that on July 8, 2013 at Water Street, Kingston, Georgetown, he, along with persons unknown, murdered Da Silva, in the course or furtherance of a robbery.
He had denied the charge upon his arraignment when his trial commenced last week.
When his matter was called for continuation before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and a 12-member jury yesterday however, Williams indicated through his lawyer Peter Hugh that “he wanted to take a certain course of action.”
Counsel then told the court that his client wanted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. His plea was accepted by state attorney Diana Kaulesar.
In a video recording which was tendered by the prosecution and admitted into evidence, Williams had testified that on the day in question, he met a person with whom he had made arrangement to meet along with three other men in separate vehicles and was requested to follow “a vehicle.”
Williams was heard telling investigators on the tape, that when in the Water Street area, he heard loud sounds and felt an impact aback his vehicle; at which point he became afraid and immediately exited the vehicle and ran for cover.
He said he later returned to his vehicle after shots were fired.
The accused claimed that he was unaware of what was going on, adding that the man he was transporting, also exited the vehicle and ran away.
Da Silva was shot dead while his best friend, gas station owner Cecil Gajadhar sustained a gunshot wound to the side of his face when they were ambushed by gunmen. At the time, the men, both 72 years old, were heading to a Water Street bank to transact business. A bag containing millions was stolen.
The state’s case was presented by lead prosecutor Diana Kaulesar, in association with state attorneys Tamieka Clarke and Tuanna Hardy.
