BAGOTSTOWN murder accused Travis Rudder, 21,  yesterday made an unsworn statement from the dock claiming that he did not kill his girlfriend Donnis King, 14. According to him, “I had no reason to kill her.   The Police Inspector, who investigated the story,  beat me in order to force me to sign a confession statement.   I am innocent of this crime”, the accused told presiding judge, Miss Dawn Gregory and a mixed jury at the Demerara Assizes.
The prosecution’s case, conducted by Miss Konyo Sandiford, in association with Miss  Renita Singh, was to the effect  that the accused, following an argument with his girlfriend who had left him because  he was unfaithful,  shot her in the abdomen, on February 23, 2007, causing her death some days later.
The accused, represented by Attorney-at-law, Mr. Glenn Hanoman, pleaded not guilty at his trial.   During the  investigation,  he had told the police  that he was playing with his .38 revolver  when the weapon  accidentally  went off,  shooting  the girl  who died later at the  Georgetown Hospital.
After his lawyer had objected to the confession statement on the ground that it had not been obtained in accordance with the judges’ rules, Justice  Gregory  conducted a voir dire (a trial within a trial) which concluded that the statement  was obtained freely and  voluntarily.    The statement was found admissible and was led in evidence.
The defence led two witnesses for the defence …Senior Supt.  of Prisons, Collins,  and Corporal Rampersaud.
According  to the defence lawyer, the  evidence  of the witnesses  was to show that the prisoner had marks  of violence about his face and body when he was taken to the prison.
Collins testified that on being admitted to  prison, the prisoner had  complained that he was assaulted by the  police.
When the trial  resumes today,  defence counsel and the prosecutor will deliver addresses to the jury.
Justice Gregory will sum up the evidence to the jury on Tuesday, following which  she would  hand over the case to them for their consideration and verdict.