Anthony Edwin Flood said he had no control over his actions when he kicked 57-year-old Vincello (Johnny Peppers) Richardson to death last December.

Flood, 28, who is represented by Mr. Tim Marshall, took the stand in the Supreme Court yesterday.

He is charged with killing and robbing Richardson of $3,400 and breaking into his apartment on York Street St. George's during the early hours of the morning on December 17.

Flood told the court that after being slapped by Richardson he didn't have any control over his actions because "I was drunk and I had been slapped in the mouth''.

He also said that on December 16 he spent the day drinking beer and shots of vodka.

"I went to the Caribbean Lounge with some friends and we were drinking and partying,'' Flood said. "I saw Richardson when I went to the bar to get another drink. I was pretty drunk and I said, `what's happening, cousin' because I heard people saying we were related.

"He was a little aggressive and he said that I didn't know what I was talking about, I kept on saying the same thing, that we were cousins, but he did not want to acknowledge the fact that I was calling him cousin.'' When asked by Mr. Marshall, Flood said he did not know if Richardson carried a lot of money around with him.

Flood said that after leaving Richardson alone and going outside, he returned, talked to a few people and had a few more drinks.

"When I left the Caribbean Lounge, I was drunk and I was going to Helen's coffee shop to get something to eat. That's when I bumped into Richardson,'' Flood said.

He added: "He was leaning up against the wall on Pound Alley. I touched him on the shoulder and asked him if he was all right. I started calling him cousin again and I told him to get up and go home because he was drunk.

"That's when he swung around and slapped me in my mouth. The next thing I knew I was on the ground. The slap was forceful because it knocked me out and my mouth was bleeding.'' Flood also told the court that when he started to gain consciousness he noticed Richardson going towards the door to his apartment.

He added: "I was angry, I got up and ran towards Richardson. He noticed me coming so he started running towards the St. George's Police Station.

"I cut him off and I jumped up in the air and kicked him. He fell to the ground and he was dazed. I picked him up and he got on his feet and I forced him back into his yard. I didn't have any control over my actions.'' Flood added: "Richardson tripped over the sidewalk and I noticed a bundle of money, just the thought of it being money I picked it up. It was a reaction.

"Richardson fell onto the ground and I was standing over him. He started calling me names and cursing at me and then he pulled at my pant legs trying to pull his way up.

"I started kicking him trying to get him away from me. After I stopped kicking there was no movement, I leaned over and started to shake him but he did not move.

"I checked for a pulse on his wrist and there was no pulse. I noticed a wallet in his top pocket and I took all the money out. I panicked and left.'' Flood added: "As I was walking back through Pound Alley I was so nervous that I was shaking.

"I noticed my ring was missing and I continued walking. I bumped into Eugene Broadley and he said he saw what I had done.

"I freaked out. He said if I didn't give him any money he would tell. I told him that I killed someone, and that I thought Richardson was dead.

"I told Broadley that I would give him $500 if he helped me move the body. I was scared and I wanted to get rid of the body,'' Flood said.

He added that he and Broadley walked back to Richardson and grabbed him by the arms.

"We started to drag him, we dragged him through Pound Alley. Half way through the alley Broadley said let's take a break, so we took a break and Richardson was just leaning up against the wall,'' Flood said.

He added: "We dragged him across the parking lot down to the water's edge and threw him overboard. I started walking around in circles because I was so terrified.'' Earlier, Raymond T. Rawlins, who has known Flood for some time, told the court that he had all intentions of robbing Flood after finding out that he had come into a large sum of money.

However, Rawlins said he had a change of heart after seeing the state of mind Flood was in the night he killed Richardson.

"I took Flood to my friend Gerald `Beasey' Green's house so he could change his clothes and have a place to stay,'' Rawlins said.

He added that Flood asked him to pick up some of the money he had stashed in St. George's and use $500 to buy cocaine and heroin.

The trial continues today before Puisne Judge the Hon. Mrs. Justice Wade.

The jury went on a site visit to St. George's yesterday morning where they were guided around areas discussed throughout the trial.