The main witness in the case against businessman Patrick Powell has testified that he does not know who fired on his vehicle, which led to the death of 17-year-old Khajeel Mais.
Wayne Anthony Wright, a taxi operator, was giving testimony Thursday afternoon before the Home Circuit Court.
Khajeel was fatally shot after chartering Mr. Wright's cab. In his testimony, Mr. Wright said he was taking Mr. Mais to a location along Chevy Chase on the night of July 1, 2011.
While travelling along Highland Drive in Havendale, Mr. Wright said he accidentally slammed in a black SUV. The taxi operator said the accident occurred due to poor visibility, as it was raining and there was fog in the area.
The witness said he was reversing his vehicle when it came under gunfire. He said he took evasive action and sped off. Khajeel, he said, jumped into the back seat due to the gunfire.
The witness, who was involved in several testy exchanges with the lead prosecutor Jeremy Taylor, maintained that he did not see who fired on his vehicle.
He said as he drove away from the scene, more gunshots were fired at the vehicle. He told the court he drove to the Constant Spring Police Station.
The taxi operator will continue his testimony on Friday.
Firearm
Meanwhile, five years after the teen was fatally shot, the police say the businessman accused of the murder has refused to hand over his licensed firearm to the authorities.
This was revealed during testimony in the trial of Mr. Powell, who is charged with murder and shooting with intent.
Prosecutors say he used his licensed firearm to open fire on a taxi in which Khajeel was a passenger after it his BMW X6 motor vehicle along Highland Drive in Havendale, St. Andrew.
The teenager died after being shot in the head and back. He was travelling to a school event.
During testimony Thursday afternoon, Superintendent Clive Walker, who is attached to the Criminal Investigation Branch, said on July 11, 2011, he went to the offices of the Major Investigation Task Force (MIT), where he saw Mr. Powell.
He said he requested Mr. Powell hand over his firearm for inspection, but Powell refused, based on the instruction of his attorney, Patrick Atkinson, who was present.
Superintendent Walker said he visited Mr. Powell on July 20, 2011 at Horizon Remand Centre and he again refused to hand over the weapon.
Mr. Powell was charged with breaches of the Firearm Act in 2011. That matter is now pending before the St. Andrew Parish Court.
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