THE State yesterday closed its case in the ‘Cornbread’ murder trial, which began in the High Court before Justice Navindra Singh and a 12-member jury less than two weeks ago.State prosecutors, Siand Dhurjon and Tuanna Hardy, led several witnesses, including a number of police officers, who testified during the trial.

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.

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

After the State closed its case the trio was called to lead their defense but opted to give an un-sworn statements, while remaining in the prisoners’ dock.

The men contended that officers attached to the Major Crimes Unit of the Guyana Police Force had beaten them into signing caution statements, confessing to their involvement in Xavier’s murder when they were arrested on May 18, 2012 and taken to Police Headquarters in Eve Leary.

The trio also denied knowing each other before and pointed out in court that it was only after being charged for murder and imprisoned that they got acquainted with each other.

The matter will be recalled today when Moore is expected to call two witnesses for his defense.

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.