Murderer Trial Resume After Covid Delay

The murder trial of 26-year-old Taaj Muhammad started up again yesterday, after being completely aborted in September as a result of Mr. Muhammad testing positive for the Coronavirus while at Westgate and being put on a hiatus earlier this year after one juror tested positive for the virus. The trial is continuing on with 11 jurors.

The trial picked up where it left off, with Police Constable Christopher Sabean going over CCTV and social media video footage with the jury. The footage was from December 28 and 29, 2018, when 30-year-old Ronniko Burchall was shot in the head at point-blank range in front of the St. David’s Cricket Club. Jurors were shown clips of footage from both inside and outside of the club.

Following Detective Sabean’s testimony, Shaunte Simons-Fox, for the Crown, read a witness statement aloud to the jury. Acting Justice Juan Wolffe, who is preceding over the trial, asked that civilian witnesses in this trial not be named by the press.

The witness said that they arrived at St. David’s Cricket Club shortly before the deadly shooting occurred. They heard a loud pop which they soon realized was a gunshot. As a result, they hid behind a nearby car at the club and heard three more gunshots.

They then noticed someone in what appeared to be a gray sweatsuit running from the club building with their arms locked at their elbows. Once they found out that the police were on their way to investigate the incident, the witness left the premises.

In addition to allegedly killing Mr. Burchall, Mr. Muhammad is charged with using a firearm to commit the offence. His trial will continue on Monday January 31 at 10 a.m.

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TNN Reporter Stefano Ausenda