William Evans, one of the two men on trial for robbery, on Tuesday told a city court that although the victim identified him as one of the robbers, he had never seen her before then.
Evans opted to give sworn testimony in his defence during his trial before Magistrate Judy Latchman for the robbery of Marissa Hohenkirk.
Evans and Tambico McKenzie are charged with attacking Hohenkirk with a knife and robbing her of an iPhone, a gold chain, a gold and diamond ring and three gold bands, all totaling $370,000 in value, on February 9, 2015, at Cane View Avenue, South Ruimveldt Park.
Police had said that after Hohenkirk was robbed, she pursued the men in her car and ran into them, which led to their arrest. But Evans on Tuesday testified that on the day of the robbery he was in front of Jade Stone Chinese Restaurant when police pulled up and placed him in a van. He stated that he told the police that he had just come from home and asked them where they were taking him. He stated that he did not see any of the officers that arrested him appear in court during the trial. Evans recalled seeing the complainant at the station and remembered that she had pointed him out as one of the men that robbed her.
However, he added that before the day in question, he did not know McKenzie. Evans told the court that the police found nothing on him on the day of the alleged robbery and he denied showing them a phone as was presented as evidence by a police witness. Under cross-examination by Prosecutor Kerry Bostwick, Evans said that on the morning of the robbery he had assisted his uncle, who sells juice and pastries. He stated that he made the juice that morning and was on his way over the river to visit his mother when he was picked up.
Evans added that he would be calling his uncle as a witness. Meanwhile, a character witness on Tuesday took the stand and confirmed that McKenzie had worked with him. The witness was Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) surveyor Dellon Congreaves, who told the court that on different occasions the defendant would assist him privately as a main surveyor. He added that McKenzie was employed as a surveyor in 2014 and seemed like a very hard worker and was willing to learn while assisting in helping to push the team. He told the court that he found it strange that the defendant was allegedly involved in a robbery.
Under cross examination by Prosecutor Bostwick, Congreaves told the court he has known McKenzie since 2009. He described their relationship as strictly professional, although they both reside in the same area, East Ruimveldt. Although the prosecutor suggested that the witness was only there to assist the defendant, Congreaves denied this, while stating that he was only present to give evidence that McKenzie worked with him.
The matter is adjourned to May 23.
