And as we've told you Attorney Oscar Selgado also questioned the recalled gun expert about the possible trajectory of a bullet in the air, and whether there could be one loud bang from two weapons fired simultaneously.
But while evidence of a shot from Officer Clyde Augustine's gun is thin at best and implausible at worst, that second shot, is the argument that the defence continued to rely on today to possibly introduce a reasonable doubt. We got Attorney Dickie Bradley's response to that submission after the trial.
Dickie Bradley, Attorney-At-Law
"The one issue in dispute is that the defence is saying and submitted that it is and this is an incredible piece of submission, it is police constable Augustine who shot, but it is that police officer that, it is that police officer that killed Laddie Gillett."
That argument put forward by defence attorney Selgado was one he refused to comment on when he stepped out of court.
Oscar Selgado, Attorney At Law
"That is the evidence and I cannot comment on the evidence and I don't know how. You would know, I did not give the media a glimpse of my closing submission that is for the court only and that is why I didn't want the prosecution or anybody to comment on it because it's, You were there in the court, you heard what you heard but the matter is. before the court and so I will not breach the ethics of the profession to comment on it as other attorneys have done but what is before the court is what is before the court and if I don't get what I expect I will go to the court of appeal."
And while Selgado seemed ruffled, Laddie's foster family could only be described as cool and collected, telling the press that they have no doubt that a conviction is on the horizon.
Emil Bradley, Laddie's Foster Father
"Depending on Justice Moore, her decision. So, if she doesn't feel right and she didn't get all the evidence that she sees necessary to make a judgement she won't so she said on the 21st she will be casting judgement. I guess we are just waiting, we are just waiting to see what will happen. We have faith and we have hope. The evidence being submitted at the submission by Mr. Chan everything seems to be going good so far and we have a strong case."
"He could jump high, he could jump low, he could say what he wants, the point is there was only one evidence of only one shot that has been fired and that shot has been fired from the issued gun by Kareem, so it doesn't matter what he wants to say that is his role, you know to create doubt but he knows exactly where this is going. It's going to work for our part."
Still, there were some tense moments there, certainly one in which the defence tried to prove that a gun fired in the air still had the possibility of harming someone.
Cherisse Halsall:
"Sir, were you at all worried when the gun expert did admit that there was a possibility that a shot fired directly in the air could by gravity's force fall back to earth and injure someone?"
Emil Bradley, Laddie's Foster Father
"Well, yes in this case it would have to be not in the direction like he said he fired at the angle, that would have to be like a 90 degrees to come and come down and then with the evidence like Mr. Chan stated earlier from Dr. Ken the shot was fired from a low and it exited higher which clearly shows that the fire was shot from that angle and not from like he is trying to state from the top, you know. I see it impossible for him to be shooting away from that and then it curves back and then come back and hit it. So you know all these things, but like I said that is his role and and I am sure Justice Moore is not that stupid, so yeah that's just hot air for me."
Dickie Bradley, Attorney-At-Law
"The doctor found not a bullet in the shoulder, not a bullet in the back at an angle coming out of the air. The shot was fired horizontally based on what the doctor said. The judge is in the words of the great Shakespeare making assurance doubly sure. She wants to cover every single angle in this most unfortunate incident. Don't forget what has transpired, a young corporal of police has been charged and is now awaiting a verdict which will take place on the 21st day of March in April in the Belmopan court, yeah. So, you all heard what has transpired. the evidence from the pathologist. The police officer, this is very unfortunate for him, you all will get a copy from the prosecutor from the police manual, if you discharge your firearm and it does not involve defending yourself or defending another person that is a very serious breach and gives rise to criminal charges. That is the instruction that police officers are under."
This matter may not be concluded until Friday, April 21st, but at this time trial is concluded except for the verdict, reporting for 7News live from the Belize City Supreme Court, Cherisse Halsall, 7NEws.
