State witness claims attempt to shoot him

MOMENTS after his testimony, a State witness in the preliminary inquiry into the murder charge brought against a father and two of his sons yesterday told reporters that he was supposed to be the target of Tuesday evening’s shooting at a basketball court in Laventille. Three people were wounded in that incident. Ohmba Snaggs of Pashley Street, Laventille, was yesterday cross-examined by attorney Melville Joseph at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Eighth Court before Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls. Snaggs was giving evidence in the preliminary inquiry into the April 22 murder of 22-year-old Andre Linsey, for which Jimmy “Shabaaz” Bournes and his sons, Nigel “Dufo” Mayers and Akeido Mayers were jointly charged. An outspoken Snaggs had to be cautioned by Mc Nicolls to desist from entering “into any controversy with the attorney.” When he was almost finished giving evidence, he mouthed to one of the men who accompanied him to court to “get the driver.” Before he left the St Vincent Street courthouse, however, he told reporters that he was the one the gunman was aiming to shoot.

Bournes, Nigel and Akeido, all of Pelican Extension Road, Morvant, were charged by Sgt Dave Hilaire, who was then attached to the Morvant CID. Linsey, of Pump Trace, Laventille, was fatally stabbed outside the National Housing Authority office at Lady Young Avenue, Morvant, where he went to collect his fortnightly wages. All three men were represented by attorney Joseph Melville and will re-appear in court on December 1. As the three were being led away by police, Nigel told Mc Nicolls “I hope you will deal with my matter justly.” State attorney Natasha George is prosecuting.