The sensational quadruple murder trial of Leslie Pipersburg and Patrick Robateau resumed today with another grueling round of cross-examination of the prosecution's first witness KBH security guard Carl Ventura - who was shot in the shoulder during the robbery. Defense attorney Linsbert Willis hammered at Ventura this morning and for most of the afternoon.
Next to take the stand was Carl's brother George Ventura who was also a security guard assigned to the Bowen and Bowen Limited compound. He testified that he knew Patrick Robateau because he saw him at the Bowen and Bowen compound, but also because they were squad brothers in the BDF back in 1997. George Ventura testified that on the night of the murder, as is usual he saw Robateau drive the truck into Bowen and Bowen's Slaughterhouse Road compound. He added that it was Patrick Robateau who pointed a gun to his side and told him to drop his assigned 12-gauge shotgun and VHF radio. Ventura told the court he fled, jumping over he fence and hitched a ride eventually to the Queen Street police station where he made a report.
The trial continues tomorrow when the defense will have its turn at Robert Ventura.
On a side note, presiding judge John Gonzalez stopped short of openly scolding the police assigned to the Supreme Court for allowing Pipersburg and Robateau to openly and freely mingle with family and friends during court breaks. Justice Gonzalez says both men are prisoners and while they are to be treated humanely, socialization is not one of the privileges of a prisoner.