A MIXED jury at the Demerara Assizes at the trial of Justin Felix, called Justin Percival, for murder heard Wednesday that the accused had made an oral confession.But the accused, represented by defence counsel, Mr. Glenn Hanoman is denying the allegation and is claiming through his counsel that he was charged with murder long before police investigations had been completed.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Julius Wright who allegedly took the statement from the accused testified that he was at the Mackenzie Police Station when the accused who was in the lock-ups there called out to him and said he wanted “to speak to me in private.”
Witness said he caused him to be taken out of the lock-ups to his office. There, he said, the accused told him that “since all a dem want to left me alone in it, I gon tell you the whole story.”
Witness said he repeated the allegations to the accused and cautioned him, telling him that it is alleged that on the 13th July, 2008, at Kara Kara, Linden he murdered Paul Austin, called ‘Coolie’.
Witness said the accused went on to say, “Yesterday, me, Winger, Coolie, Tuckey, Butcher, Kevin and Nellon went and raid a marijuana farm at Kara Kara, Linden. We take the drugs by Winger house to share. Me tell them I want meh share. They tell me I got to wait until tomorrow. Me an Tuckey start to argue, he walk out the yard. Me pull out me gun from meh bag and it go off. Me aint know how it dun, it is jumbie.”
Witness said that he further told the accused that immediately after he shot Paul Austin, called ‘Coolie’, it is alleged that he discharged a round from the said gun at Kenton Griffith causing him to run out of the yard.
Attorney-at-law Miss Tanicia Daniels is appearing with Mr. Hanoman for the defence.
State counsel Mrs. Teshana Lake is appearing with Miss Narissa Leander for the prosecution.
The hearing is continuing.

(By George Barclay)