By Saju Ng’alla
Vincent Taylor was actually a free man. He had just been released from prison and was expected to have been rehabilitated enough to be a law-abiding citizen.
However, a couple days after his release, a jury of his peers believed that he attempted to murder a prison officer.
That jury found him guilty, and a judge sentenced him to more than 20 years in prison.
Taylor’s trial started on Monday at the high court and Justice Francis Belle presided over the trial.
Lawyer Chesley Hamilton represented Taylor.
According to police testimony and reports, Taylor shot on Nov. 25, 2005 Rae Browne, who was a prison officer, outside his residence. Police said the shooting took place at about 4 a.m.
After four days on the run Taylor, alias Shungy, turned himself in to the Commissioner of Police.
According to police reports, Taylor, accompanied by his lawyer Chesley Hamilton, went to the Basseterre Police Station and turned himself in to Commissioner of Police Robert Jeffers.
Taylor is alleged to have shot Browne in his neck, right arm and the right side of his abdomen.
Police said that while Browne was in his car and about to make his way to work, an individual alleged to be Taylor, approached the vehicle and fired a number of shots at him.
It was learned that Browne, in his wounded state, pursued the fleeing gunman but was unable to apprehend him.
Browne was later taken to the Joseph N. France General Hospital where he received treatment for his wounds and was under observation until his discharge some four days after.
Taylor said it was not him that shot Browne, and that on the morning of the shooting he was ‘home sleeping.’
Taylor’s brother, Kimbel, testified in court that his brother was indeed home sleeping. Vincent testified that he had slept in the same room with his brother. He said the room was very small and that because he was a quiet sleeper his brother could not have left the room without stirring him to awake.
The jury, judge, lawyers and accused were taken to the residence where Taylor claims he was asleep on the morning of the shooting.
The most believable testimony in the trial came from the shooting victim, Browne.
He said from the moment he stepped outside his home to go to work he felt that something was wrong.
As soon as stepped into his car he saw Taylor with a gun. Browne said he saw Taylor clearly and recognized him immediately.
Browne testified that Taylor shot at him a number of times including once in the neck.
Browne said he had tried to call the ambulance but got no answer, so he drove himself to the hospital.
At the hospital, Browne said he was sure to tell a number of people who shot him.
The Jury took less than an hour to find Taylor guilty of attempted murder.
Belle, clearly disgusted with the crime, sentenced Taylor to 10 years for attempted murder, another 10 for wounding with intent and a 20-year prison term for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
“He is a dangerous man and should be put away for a long time,” Belle said.
