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Crown witness’ DNA was on bullets from attempted murder gun

Lawyer Charles Richardson

A witness in an attempted murder trial was unable to tell the Supreme Court how his own DNA came to be on the bullets from the gun.Olice Morgan, 30, is currently serving a seven-and-a-half year sentence for handling a firearm plus stolen goods in a different case.The jury heard that Mr Morgan got his jail time for that matter reduced, in return for his cooperation in the trial of Jahkeil Samuels, 27, Jamin Saltus, 23, and Ronniko Burchall, 22.The three stand accused of attempted murder, as well as conspiring to murder an unknown individual and using a firearm for an indictable offence.A fourth, Alex Vanderpool, 22, is on trial for handling a firearm.The victim, shot and wounded on the night of February 28, 2012, cannot be named for legal reasons.The jury has heard Mr Morgan claim to have overheard the planning of the shooting, and he has admitted turning over a gun police believed had been used in the attack.Yesterday in court, the same weapon — a .38 calibre handgun — was shown to Mr Morgan by police.Mr Morgan has admitted receiving the gun, and checking to see if it contained live rounds — but not using the weapon.Defence lawyer Charles Richardson, who represents Mr Vanderpool, challenged him: “If all you did was pull out the gun and look at it, how did your DNA end up on bullets down inside the magazine?”“I don’t know,” the witness said, to which Mr Richardson responded: “You loaded it.”Mr Morgan denied ever touching the bullets and said he’d merely tucked the gun in his waistband — suggesting that his sweat might have contaminated the weapon.He also denied any sort of expertise with firearms.The witness, a Jamaican national, was accused of familiarity with guns and drugs acquired in the Milk River, Clarendon area of the Island — which he denied.The jury also heard that Mr Morgan had been unable to work without a spousal letter from his Bermudian wife.The court has heard that he was able to make some money by selling his catch from spear fishing, but under cross examination by lawyer Marc Daniels, defending Mr Samuels, the witness couldn’t recall details.Mr Morgan said he fished with “a guy from Spanish Point” but couldn’t recall his name, or details of the money he earned.“You’re making up lies, and you know it,” Mr Daniels told him. “You know that you’re facing a lengthy sentence, and you’ll do anything to lessen your term.”The witness denied any fabrication. The trial continues today.