THE Michael Powley murder trial which began in the January session is nearing an end. When the session was about to be closed on Holy Thursday, Powley who had pleaded not guilty to killing Vishnauth Narine, called ‘Buddy’, maintained his innocence in an unsworn statement from the dock.In his statement he told Justice James Bovell-Drakes and the jury that he and ‘Buddy’ had a scuffle after the man had attacked his wife.

According to Powley, the rain was falling on that day and the area at Plastic City, Vreed-en-Hoop was slushy and slippery. He recalled that he was on the ground after being attacked with bottles by Buddy who had cursed and assaulted his wife, when he saw two of Buddy’s friends running towards them with cutlasses.
The accused told the court, “I got up and run away, I did not chop Buddy, I do not know how he got chop.”
Defence counsel Mr. Basil Williams is appearing for the defence.
Prosecuting for the State, lawyer Miss Natasha Backer, told the jury that the judge will direct them on the law while Mr. Williams will represent the interest of the accused.
The accused, she said, has nothing to prove and is innocent until proven otherwise.
Pointing out that it is the duty of the State to prove the guilt of the accused, she added, “We must prove our case beyond a reasonable doubt which means that we must prove our case to the extent that we feel sure that it was the accused who murdered Buddy.

By George Barclay