Detective Corporal Alexie Annys yesterday told a court that he saw when Kerry Cromwell shot Elvin Lorrimer.
Annys was at the time testifying at Cromwell’s trial for the murder of the Linden bus driver, who was gunned down on the night of March 21st, 2016 as he stood outside his minibus seeking passengers.
According to the Detective, he was in his barrack room located in the compound of Parliament building, when at about 8:30 pm he heard loud explosions which he said he suspected to be gun shots.
Alerted by the sounds, Annys said that he immediately exited his room and went to the southern fence at Hadfield Street, where he had a clear view of the accused who at the time was holding a black object which he identified as being a pistol.
The witness told the court that he saw Cromwell shoot Lorrimer during the ordeal which lasted for some 40 seconds.
Asked by Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs whether at any time he and the shooter made eye contact, Annys said they did, estimating it to be for about six seconds.
He said that during the entire incident, he had always been focused on the face of the shooter, whom he said he was subsequently able to “positively” identify on an identification parade, as Cromwell.
According to Annys, he took no more than 10 seconds to point out the accused from a lineup of eight men, as the person whom he saw shoot at the now-deceased Lorrimer.
Also testifying at yesterday’s hearing, was former Detective Corporal, Derwin Eastman, who recalled putting the allegation to Cromwell, and later arresting and placing him in custody.
Eastman said that the man remained silent after being told of the offence levelled against him.
Noting that he had contacted the accused at his home, Eastman said that he sought and was granted the man’s permission to search his house for items such as firearms and ammunition.
He told the court, however, that he found nothing of evidential value.
Following the testimonies yesterday, the prosecution closed its case against Cromwell.
The matter will continue next Tuesday at 9am when the accused will be given a chance to lead his defence if he so wishes. Thereafter, both the defence and prosecution will present closing addresses to the jury.
Meanwhile, trial Judge, Navindra Singh has already announced that he intends to sum up the case to the jury next Thursday, after which the 12-member panel will retire for deliberations and likely return a verdict.
Lorrimer, formerly of Lot 184 Carter Street, Kara Kara, Linden, died as a result of multiple gunshot injuries according to an autopsy report.
The state’s case is being presented by Gibbs, in association with Prosecu-tors Tuanna Hardy and Teriq Mohammed.
Cromwell, meanwhile, is being represented by defence attorney Stanley Moore.
