Rudolph Ball declared "my co-accused are innocent'' of the murder of Jermaine (Red) Pitcher.

Ball, apparently, against the wishes of his lawyer Larry Mussenden, made the declaration after several minutes of discussion both in the dock and in the HM Prison's holding cells.

Chief Justice Austin Ward told Ball "we haven't reached that stage yet'' before explaining he could say the same thing at his own sentencing or at the murder trial of Keniel Alfred Ingham and Jamal Chicke Robinson.

Ball pleaded guilty in January to Mr. Pitcher's manslaughter on February 27, 2000 with a machete outside Champion's on Reid Street. Ball has yet to be sentenced.

All three Warwick men have been on remand at Westgate Correctional Facility since their arrest a few days after the killing.

As the trio were about to be escorted out of the dock, Ball said: "Your Honour, can I address the court?'' After a pause Mr. Justice Ward said: "Your lawyer doesn't want you to speak.

The privilege is yours.'' "Talk!'' came the cry from the back of Supreme Court One where Ingham and Robinson stood, handcuffed together, watching intently.

At the end of the session Mr. Mussenden returned, flopping into his seat heavily and exhaling deeply.

Ball stood in the dock with his fists clenched and said: "I just want to say, my co-accused... I don't know what this means to the court... But my co-accused are innocent to this matter.'' As Ball paused, Mr. Justice Ward said: "We haven't reached that stage of this matter yet. You'll have to say that at the appropriate time, if you wish, at sentencing.

"That is a question for the prosecuting authority,'' he continued. "You can do it at your sentencing or if you are not sentenced yet, at their trial. You can give evidence for them.'' COURTS CTS