Justin Kyle Jackson has denied murdering retired prison officer Harry Elliott, while entering mixed pleas to gun charges.
Appearing before the Grand Court on Friday 27 May, Jackson sat in the dock under the watchful gaze of prison and armed police officers, while plain clothes detectives and armed officers secured the Court House’s foyer and outside prisoner transfer area.
Jackson, 23, faces one count of murder and four counts of possession of an unlicensed firearm.
The first two gun-related charges are linked to the Monday 25 April killing of Elliott, who died from gunshot wounds to the head, in what police say was a robbery gone wrong. The incident took place at a commercial building along School Road, George Town.
The gun used to commit the crime was not recovered. The charge makes no mention of the type of gun officials think was used to commit the fatal shooting.
Jackson was charged with one count of possession of an unlicensed firearm and another for an unknown quantity of ammunition.
He entered not guilty pleas to both gun charges, in addition to the not guilty plea for the murder.
Second set of gun charges
A second set of gun charges is in relation to a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, and nine rounds of ammunition, which were recovered from the driver’s side of a white Toyota Yaris, which had been driven by Jackson on Friday, 29 April.
Jackson has been jointly charged with Eric Brian Williams Soto, who was the passenger in the vehicle.
Both men fled the vehicle on foot after a short police pursuit. Williams Soto was arrested a short time later, while Jackson led police on a days-long manhunt.
Jackson entered a guilty plea to possession of the handgun and the nine rounds of ammunition.
Williams Soto, who appeared via video link, denied the charge.
Attorney Amelia Fosuhene, who represents both men, asked the court to reconsider the charges against Williams Soto with a view of dropping them. However, prosecutor Scott Wainwright told Justice Cheryll Richards there was no guarantee the charges would not be proceeded with.
“The Crown’s case is that it still intends to proceed with the charges against Mr. Williams Soto, despite the guilty pleas by Mr. Jackson,” said Wainwright.
“We will review the matter. However, we believe the evidence against him is still strong enough for us to proceed.”
Both men were remanded into custody.
Related Videos
