Trial stalled for over a year as key witness remains on sick leave

The trial of 33-year-old artiste Kemar Edwards has been stalled for over a year to await the completion of evidence by a policeman who is the main witness for the prosecution.

It is reported that the last time the policeman testified at the trial in the Gun Court was on December 4 last year. The court has since been informed that the policeman is on sick leave.

The policeman, who is the only witness called so far to testify at the trial, has not completed his evidence in chief.

Edwards, who is being represented by attorney-at-law Charles Ganga-Singh, appeared in court last week Friday and was ordered to return on December 19. He is charged with illegal possession of firearm and assault.

It is being alleged that in November 2021, Edwards fired at police officers who were travelling in a motor vehicle along Old Stony Hill Road, St Andrew.

Edwards has denied firing at the police.

He reported that in November 2021, he went to the Stony Hill Police Station to report a shooting incident because he was shot in the foot.

After he made the report ,a friend took him to the hospital where he was treated. While at the hospital the police questioned him and he told them shots were fired at him and he had to run.

Edwards is maintaining that he is innocent of the charges.

-Barbara Gayle

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