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| 8-Ball, Malvy Beat Murder Rap |
| By Sheena Brooks |
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Lester “8-Ball” Tross |
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Malvy “Mello” Drew |
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Shamari “Kwasi” Williams |
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After spending almost two years behind bars, Lester “8-Ball” Tross and Malvy “Mello” Drew were set free following a “Not Guilty” verdict on Tuesday, June 15.
The two stood jointly charged for the murder of 24-year-old Shamari “Kwasi” Williams of New Road. On July 5, 2008, at about 11 p.m., Williams was driving his car in an easterly direction along George Street, Newtown. Also travelling in the car was Williams’ father Eric, his cousin Jervin Dowell, and friend Kwesi Twells (deceased).
According to police reports gunmen opened fire on the vehicle in the vicinity of J’s Shop and Save Grocery store. The younger Williams was shot in the head, while the others escaped unhurt. He died the following day at the JN France hospital. Tross and Drew were arrested and charged for the murder on July 14, 2008.
The case began on Monday, June 14. Director of Public Prosecution Paulina Hendrickson called eight witnesses, the key of which was the murder victim’s father. Hendrickson ended up having to ask the judge to declare the senior Williams a “hostile witness” after he completely changed his testimony. During the Preliminary Inquiry the victim’s father had claimed he saw Tross and Drew shooting at the vehicle, as they were unmasked. Other witnesses, including those present in the vehicle, said they could not see how many gunmen were firing, while others said the gunmen were masked.
Williams’ about-face testimony fell in line with other recounts of what transpired that fateful night by saying he did not see who had shot his son.
Though jointly charged with the crime, the two young men had separate legal representation; Attorney Chesley Hamilton defended Drew, while Hesketh Benjamin was Tross’ defense attorney.
On Tuesday, both defense lawyers made no case submissions, claiming there was no evidence presented by Hendrickson that either Tross or Drew shot Williams. His Lordship Justice Francis Belle granted the defense’s submission and instructed the 12-person jury to return a ‘not guilty’ verdict, which they promptly did.
Hamilton told The Observer that he was not surprised with the verdict.
“The father’s testimony was questionable to begin with, so it was no surprise that he told the truth today. Given the circumstances and conditions it was highly improbable that he could have seen who was shooting while bullets were flying and they were ducking for cover,” he said.
The two men and their attorneys left the Basseterre High Court early Tuesday afternoon; the formerly accused Tross and Drew clearly enjoying being free after their extensive incarceration.
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