Man on trial for Christmas Day murder in Albouystown

Mark Greaves
Mark Greaves

The trial of Albouystown resident Mark Greaves, who is accused of the 2015 Christmas Day murder of Winston Fredericks, commenced yesterday morning before Justice Navindra Singh and a jury at the High Court in George-town.

The accused has pleaded not guilty to the capital indictment which stated that on December 25, 2015 he murdered Fredericks also known as “Fluffy” at James Street, Albouystown.

In her opening address, Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs told the court that on the day in question, Greaves stabbed Fredericks during an argument and he later succumbed from the injury sustained.

Testifying yesterday was Pathologist Dr. Vivekanand Brijmohan who said Fredericks died from shock and haemorrhage due to a stab wound.

Nephew of the deceased, Orlando Batson, recalled last seeing his uncle alive on December 20, 2015. He said a week later, “I see the news and then went to the Ruimveldt Police Station.”

On December 30, he said he then went to the Georgetown Public Hospital where, in the presence of a police officer, he identified his uncle’s body to Dr. Brijmohan who performed the autopsy.

Also testifying was Crime Scene Investigator, Police Constable Leslie Williams who recalled photographing the scene. The 15 photographs he took out were admitted as exhibits in the trial.

At the scene he said there was suspected blood stains on the northern side of James Street, which led into lot 33.

Testifying via Skype from the United States, was former Police Con-stable Xavier Vasconcellos who recalled transporting the accused to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre about 19:00 hours, where he was medically examined by a doctor.

At the conclusion of the examination during which Vasconcellos said he was present, he told the court that the doctor had issued a medical certificate. That document was tendered into evidence.

Thereafter, the witness said he escorted the accused to the Golden Grove Police Station where he was placed in custody.

Responding to questions under cross examination from defence attorney George Thomas, Vasconcellos said he saw the accused point out an area on his chest where he told the doctor he had been stabbed.

The witness said, however, that he did not actually see the injury.

Having called all 10 of its witnesses yesterday, the state is expected to present closing addresses to the jury when the case continues this morning.

The state’s case is being presented by Gibbs, in association with Prosecutor Shawnette Austin.