AS the murder trial of 32-year-old miner, Glenn Xavier continued in the High Court on Monday before Justice Navindra Singh and 12-mumber jury, a civilian eyewitness who reside overseas, testified via Skype.

According to the indictment, the three accused – Ray Yokum, called “Ray-Ray,” Steffon Campbell called “Burnham” and Faisal Moore called “Winston Bostwick,” “Vizul” and “Hard Mouth” on May 8, 2012 murdered Glen Xavier in the furtherance of a robbery at Cornbread Mini Mart at D’Urban and Lime Streets, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown.

Ronald Nedd, who now resides overseas, testified via Skype that during 2012 he was a minibus driver living at D’Urban Street, Werk-en-Rust and was the neighbour of the Glenn Xavier.

In sworn testimony, while being led by state prosecutor, Siand Dhurjon, Nedd explained that on May 7, 2012 about 5:30pm, he along with a friend was at the ‘Cornbread shop’ on D’Urban Street ‘taking two beers.’

The witness further explained that later that evening about 8:00pm, Glenn and his friend (Orin John) came to the said shop and bought a round of beer for him and his drink-mate and went away onto the bridge.

“Glenn and his friend sat at the bridge drinking….. Shortly after I went across the road to the drug store to get some credit for my phone” the witness pointed out.

Nedd noted that while at the drug store he heard loud explosions, sounding like gun shots, a few minutes after he left the drinking shop. He continued that after retrieving his credit he went back over to the drinking spot but was stopped after he saw a large crowd standing in front of the shop.

“I noticed my friend (Xavier) and his friend laying on the bridge in a pool of blood” Nedd said “Someone in the crowd said they just got robbed and shot.”

The witness further testified that he took the injured persons to the hospital in his minibus which was parked a few feet away. While at the hospital a police took a brief statement from him.

Under examination by State prosecutor, Dhurjon the witness declared that he did not notice anyone fleeing the scene after he heard the loud explosion.

However, it was under cross-examination by Campbell’s attorney, Maxwell McKay, that Nedd’s testimony was debunked.

According to McKay, during the preliminary inquiry at the city magistrates’ court, Nedd had given the description of a blue motor cycle fleeing the scene.

When the question was put to the witness he paused for a few seconds and said “No…. I can’t recall.”

Detective Sergeant Rodwell Sarabo attached to the Major Crime Unit of the Guyana Police also testified on Monday. Sarabo’s testimony would be based on the caution statement he had taken from the two defendants Yokum and Campbell.

Hearing continues
On the day in question Glen Xavier and Orin John were having ‘drinks’ at the popular bar when two men arrived on CG motorcycles and pointed a gun at them while demanding that they hand over their money.

Both Xavier and John were relieved of their cash and jewels then shot. The robbers escaped on their motor cycles.

Xavier, 32, of Harlem, West Coast Demerara, died from shock and hemorrhage due to gunshot injuries to the abdomen while his friend John, 48, of St. Cuthbert’s Mission was shot to the shoulder but survived his injuries after being hospitalised.

The state is being represented by Siand Dhurjon and Tuanna Hardy and they are expected to call more than 10 witnesses to testify.

Yokum is represented by George Thomas and Peter Hugh, while Campbell’s attorney is Maxwell McKay and Moore’s counsel is Trenton Lake.