After yesterday denying that he drove in a dangerous manner and caused the death of former world champion boxer Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis, Manx Powers now awaits a verdict.
The charge against Powers states that on May 4, 2015, at New Hope, East Bank Demerara, he drove PNN 596 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Lewis.
Powers led his defence when his trial continued before city Magistrate Fabayo Azore, who also heard closing arguments from both the defence and the prosecution yesterday.
Powers, of Lot 102 Campbellville Housing Scheme, opted to give unsworn evidence.
During his testimony, he told the court that on the day of the accident he was going into the interior, heading north along the Hope, East Bank Demerara road. In his vision, he said, he saw a pedal cyclist in the corner travelling in the same direction he was going.
“I was driving cautiously, not in a dangerous manner to the public,” he told the court. However, he recounted that as he was about to pass the cyclist, the rider made a “dash” and tried to turn across the road and they collided.
“It happened so quick,” he added, “he went up in the air hitting the car again.”
Powers stated that he pulled over quickly and rendered assistance to Lewis with the aid of public-spirited citizens. He added that an ambulance came and he waited until the police arrived on the scene. When the police came, he added, he was asked a few questions and assisted with the relevant answers and was taken sometime after to the Grove Police Station and then to the Diamond Police Station, where he spent 72 hours.
Powers chose not to call any witnesses.
Subsequent to his client’s testimony, attorney Peter Hugh stated that the evidence presented by the state cannot prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Powers drove dangerously. He added that the fact that there was a collision does not mean dangerous driving.
Hugh maintained that it is the responsibility of road users to use the road in a manner that would not endanger themselves or the public. He highlighted that the defendant maintained that Lewis veered into his path and given the short time his client would not have been able to stop in time. As a result, he urged the court to find his client not guilty of the crime.
Police Prosecutor Stephen Telford, however, urged the court to find the defendant guilty as charged. He noted that the prosecution would have proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, while highlighting the fact that the defendant chose to give unsworn evidence that could not be tested.
Telford urged the court to look at the point of impact, where the defendant hit the deceased and the distance where the deceased ended up after the point of impact.
In looking at these facts the court should find that the driving of the defendant was dangerous and ought to be found guilty, he added.
Magistrate Azore then adjourned the matter to February 27, when a decision is to be made. photos
