Murder trial is judge alone before Justice Charles Quin
The trial of Leonard Antonio Ebanks began on Tuesday this week, with the first witness telling the court that Tonio, the defendant, had told her he killed Tyrone Burrell in September 2010 and days later showed her a gun.
Arlene Marjorie White described the gun as a little 38 spin-barrel having a chrome mouth and antique handle. Asked how she knew it was a 38, Ms White said she had worked at the Spanish Town Police Station in Jamaica for several years before coming to Cayman. She said she had also seen Tonio with that gun before Tyrone died.
Single gunshot
Mr. Burrell, 20, was killed by a single gunshot to the back of his head, Senior Crown Counsel Trevor Ward said in his opening statement. The missile recovered at the time of the post mortem examination could have been discharged from a .38 revolver, he said.
Ms White began her evidence by explaining she was on a work permit as domestic helper and baby sitter. She started her employment in January 2010, living and working at an address in Birch Tree Hill, West Bay.
She came to know Tonio in June 2010; she saw him often because he was just like a family member to the people in the house.
He would be there late at night and early in the morning. Her relationship with him was very good — they had good rapport.
In danger
Ms White said she had met Tyrone at the house three Sundays before his death; she sensed he was in danger and prayed with him that day.
On Wednesday, 8 September, a lot of people were coming and going. Tonio was there that day and so was Tyrone. Tonio left around 4 o’clock. He was wearing short jeans pants and a white marina.
Around 5pm, she was making hamburgers and fries.
Tyrone asked if he could have one.
Around 6 or 6.30 she went outside and called him and handed him the box with the burger in it.
Seeing death
It was getting dark and she told him he should leave “because every time I see that youth I see death.”
He told her he was leaving and she went back to the kitchen.
The last she saw him was when he turned where the mango tree is, at the side of the house.
Around 7pm she heard something drop and went to the doorway to see what was going on. She saw Tonio swiftly pass and saw on the ground the bicycle he always rode.
Tonio was dressed in black and had a black and white kerchief around his hand.
After she saw him head toward the mango tree, she went back to what she was doing.
Heard the shot
About five seconds later she heard a sound. Then her employer rushed in and asked if she had heard a gunshot.
They went out side and saw Tyrone lying on the ground near a boat at the corner of the house.
They got the children and went to the West Bay Police Station to report the matter.
On the morning of 10 September, Tonio came to the house.
Talking
They talked and he asked her if she knew who killed Tyrone and she said she didn’t know.
Ms White said Tonio told her Tyrone had shot up the house of a relative of Devon Anglin [who last week was found not guilty of the murder of Jeremiah Barnes.] Tonio also told her Tyrone was a spy because he went from Logwood to Birch Tree Hill carrying news back and forth.
She said the two areas had conflicts and violence for each other.
Tonio continued to come to the house every day, Ms White said. On 21 September, she asked him to get her a bottle of bleach.
He said she would have to wait. When she asked for what, he lifted his shirt and showed her a gun in his pants waist
She told him, “Again, Tonio? Why you can’t put it down?”
Mr. Ward asked if Tonio had ever told her why he had that gun.
She said yes — he told her “they” wanted to kill him so he had to walk with it to protect himself.
She spoke to police on 26 September.
Prayer request
On 15 October she was in Jamaica and Tonio phoned her to say he was being held by police for Tyrone’s death. He asked her to pray for him.
Ms White was to be questioned on Wednesday by Martin Heslop who represents Ebanks with Attorney Lucy Organ.
Mr. Ward is assisted by Crown Counsel Marilyn Brandt.
Justice Charles Quin is hearing the matter without a jury, as Ebanks elected.
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