A police officer defended the investigation into the 2011 fatal shooting of Randy Robinson as the murder trial of Devon Hewey continued in the Supreme Court yesterday.

Detective Constable Michael Redfern, who served as a detective inspector before his retirement, said that on March 31, 2011, he was sent to the scene of the fatal shooting of Mr Robinson near the junction of Border Lane North and Friswells Road.

Mr Redfern said he was subsequently appointed as the senior investigating officer for Mr Robinson’s murder.

He told the court that he left Bermuda the following day for a pre-planned trip to escort a prisoner back to the island from New York.

When he returned, several people were in custody, including Devon Hewey and Jay Dill.

Mr Redfern told the court that Dill was now at Westgate serving a life sentence after being convicted in 2013 of murder and possession of a firearm to commit an indictable offence.

He confirmed that, as part of the investigation, an officer was sent to access CCTV camera footage from the Mid Atlantic Boat Club, but said that most of the instructions in the case were given by the Deputy SIO and actions officer in the case, Detective Sergeant Dennis Astwood.

Under cross-examination by Mr Hewey, who has denied involvement in the murder of Mr Robinson, Mr Redfern accepted that while he was named the SIO on March 31, he inherited an investigation that was already under way when he returned to work on April 2.

He said that both he and Mr Astwood had received a message regarding a possible witness who reportedly saw a suspect on a black and red Honda Airblade.

However, he could not speak to what action had been taken at that time because of his travels.

Mr Redfern also confirmed that he had heard of a “possible sighting” of members of the Somerset-based MOB gang at the murder scene at about the time of the shooting.

Questioned about the CCTV footage seized from the boat club, Mr Redfern said he had not viewed the evidence before the 2013 trial because it was not his responsibility.

However, he said that he took it upon himself to view the footage about two weeks ago and was unable to identify anyone, including the defendant.

Mr Hewey suggested that Mr Redfern had reviewed the footage because another officer had been grilled on the stand about it. He denied that it was the case.

Mr Redfern said that Detective Constable Warren Bundy had indicated at one stage that he saw someone in the footage that may or may not be Dill — but on further review found that the individual did not have Dill’s build.

Under continued pressing by Mr Hewey, Mr Redfern challenged Mr Hewey to identify himself in the footage, asking: “If you are on the video, why not point it out to us?”

The court previously heard that Mr Robinson, a 22-year-old father, was shot while walking along Border Lane North on the evening of March 31, 2011.

A witness described seeing two people drive up on a black Honda Scoopy and the pillion passenger shooting at the victim with a gun held in his left hand.

Dill was previously convicted of the killing, with prosecutors asserting that he was the gunman while Mr Hewey drove the motorcycle.

Both Mr Hewey and Dill were arrested at Mr Hewey’s home in the early hours of April 1, 2011 after police executed a search warrant at the property.

Acting Superintendent Alexander Rollin told the court that in 2011 there had been a series of tit-for-tat attacks between Parkside and the 42 gang, rival groups both based in Pembroke.

He said that Mr Hewey and Dill were both 42 members and, while Mr Robinson was not involved with gang activity, two of his cousins were involved with Parkside.

Mr Rollin also noted that the 42 gang were “allies” with the MOB, with 42 members sometimes visiting the West End, but MOB members stayed away from the central parishes.

Continuing his evidence on Friday, Mr Rollin said that stolen vehicles were “generally” used for shootings but that was not always the case.

He added: “It’s a best-case scenario but if the opportunity arises and you think, or a gang or a shooter reckons they will get away with it, then their bike may be used. Possibly change the licence plate as well if there is time.”

The trial before Puisne Judge Alan Richards continues.

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