A jury on Thursday acquitted Lindener, Leon Estwick also known as ‘Swipey’, for the murder of fellow Lindener, Ian Williams called ‘Ojay,’ who was gunned down on the night of September 28th, 2019.
Following hours of deliberations, the 12-member mixed panel returned a unanimous verdict, finding Estwick not guilty of committing the capital offence.
Given the jury’s pronouncement, trial Judge Sandil Kissoon informed the former accused that he had been cleared of the charge.
At his arraignment earlier this month, Estwick had denied any involvement in the matter, thereby entering a not guilty plea to the charge.
The prosecution had placed heavy reliance on the testimony of Williams’ girlfriend at the time, who had said that she saw Estwick shooting at the vehicle she and Williams were in.
Her testimony was, however, discredited. Investigators had claimed that Estwick confessed to the murder. During his trial, however, Estwick denied ever making such a statement to the police, and raised a defence of alibi. He called his brother to the stand, who corroborated his story of them being at a party on the night in question.
Estwick said that his only infraction of the law was being found in possession of the weapon which is alleged to have been used in Williams’ killing.
According to him, it was a pawned weapon which had been given to him for “safe keeping” with which he was found, when the police arrested him weeks after the murder.
In May, 2020 Estwick was sentenced to three years in prison for possession of that gun.
He is currently serving that sentence.
Estwick was represented by attorney-at-law Ronald Bostwick.
Williams and his girlfriend came under gunfire in the vicinity of Lover’s Lane, Amelia’s Ward, Linden.
Williams reportedly attempted to escape but was chased by gunmen and another vehicle. The couple was shot multiple times after attempting to abandon their damaged vehicle.
The shooting was believed to have been gang-related.
