We always hear about witnesses not showing up to testify, but one man who did show up in court today made a powerful impression. Kareem Wright, who was left a paraplegic after being shot in the neck, was taken to court in an ambulance, because that’s the only way this paralyzed man can get around. BERT Paramedics had to wheel him into the courtroom. Lying on a portable bed he testified against Marvin Cruz Reyes, who was charged with attempted murder. He said that it was Reyes who shot him around 3 am in August of 2007.
The incident occurred after a night out when Wright and Reyes’ ex-girlfriend, Rashawn Garbutt, were walking home. The couple was approached by Reyes who pulled out a silver pistol, as Wright and Garbutt began running away in different directions. The single shot that hit Wright in the right side of his neck shattering his spine, and leaving him paralyzed.
Reyes declined to cross examine Wright. Neither did he testify nor did he give a statement from the dock.
Justice Lucas will sum up the case tomorrow.