Valencia man on trial for murder

In her opening address, State attorney Candia James told the jury that on the day in question Fitzpatrick Jones was sitting outside the Valencia market with his common-law wife Yvonne Hosten when Sean La Roach and two other men approached the couple.

The jury heard that La Roach shot Jones, who ran to the Valencia Police Post and collapsed. While lying in a pool of blood his last words were, “Oh God, a man just shot me.” The sole eyewitness to the shooting, James said, was Hosten.

State witness retired Cpl Alan Andrews yesterday told the court he was on duty at the police post on that day when Jones ran into the station. He said the deceased was carrying a T-shirt in his hand and had a wound to the left side of his chest.

According to Andrews, Jones told him “Officer a man just shoot me by the Valencia market,” before falling to the ground.

The witness said he asked Jones several times about the identity of the shooter but he never answered.

Andrews said Hosten, who ran into the station shortly after her husband, accompanied him (Andrews) and the deceased in the ambulance to the Sangre Grande hospital.

Under cross-examination by defence attorney Ricky Rahim, Andrews said prior to leaving the station for the hospital, Hosten had pointed out a man who was standing outside as someone who had been involved in the shooting. However, Andrews said, although the man was questioned he was not charged.

Hearing resumes tomorrow.