POLICE Firearms and Ammunition Expert, Sgt. Eon Jackson, explained this yesterday when giving evidence for the prosecution in the Lusignan massacre murder trial, at which accused Mark Royden Williams, called ‘Smallie’, and James Anthony Hyles, called Sally, are facing trial for the murder of 11 persons who were riddled to death by gunshots during the Lusignan massacre on January 26, 2008. Before Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed jury, Sgt. Jackson, who is stationed at the Ballistics Section of the Guyana Police Force, testified that he had received two large white envelopes for analytical examination. He examined the contents of both envelopes, and found the envelope marked K745B containing a ziplock plastic bag marked Clarence Thomas to contain 11 lead bullets, seven of which were B shots and 4 No. 6 shots, which are components of a cartridge. He also found an exhibit to contain pieces of lead which are components of ammunition.

Witness said he had also received from L/Cpl Floyd Hossannah, 9 white envelopes with contents for examination. He examined them and found live 12- guage cartridges and bullets, all components of ammunition.

He said he prepared ballistics reports of his findings and handed over same to Floyd Hossannah, who is now a corporal of police.

Cpl. Hossanah, who had testified earlier, said he was attached to the Crime Scene Section, and that he had visited Lusignan following the massacre. He had ordered his photographer to take pictures of motionless bodies, some clad in nightwear. He examined 5 houses which had motionless bodies and observed on the bodies what looked like gunshot wounds, as well as cartridges and spent shells. He directed the photographer to take photographs of the motionless bodies and the exhibits, which he placed into envelopes and took to Sgt. Jackson for examination.

Next witness was Assistant Police Supt. Trevor Reid, one of the men in charge of the investigations. He said that as a result of the murder at Lusignan on January 26, 2008, he and other officers were engaged in the investigations. During the investigations, he contacted James Hyles, called ‘Sally’, and  told him about it is alleged that he and others, armed with dangerous guns, had murdered 11 people at Lusignan. Witness said that Hyles replied, “Meh does work bus conductor, meh nah know about Fineman and he gang. Me only learn about Lusignan from TV.

Witness said, “I asked him if he would like to make a statement, and he said no”. Reid said that, in the presence of officer Singh, he told Mark Royden Williams, also known as Smallie, it is alleged that he, in company with others armed with guns, had murdered 11 persons at Lusignan, and he responded by saying, “Bigga, Me gon tell you all about that work”. Witness said, “I told him that I would wish to record what he has to say, and that he could get someone to write down what he has to say, or that he could write it for himself”. He responded by saying, “Let Singh write the statement for me”. Singh was elected to write the statement which, it is said, was dictated by the accused.

Under cross-examination by, Mr Yearwood for the accused, Mark Royden Williams, witness denied a defence suggestion that the acused was beaten and tortured to sign a statement which was made by the police. Reid said that the accused made the statement of his own free will.

When the trial resumes today, Mr. Nigel Hughes for the number 2 accused, James Anthony Hyles, called Sally, will cross-examine Reid. Mrs. Judith Gildharie-Mursalin of the Chambers of the DPP is prosecuting.