A Police inspector has praised the "very important" role a teenage witness played in securing the conviction of a gunman yesterday.

Ronnie Furbert, 19, saw Dwayne Signor pull the trigger on Shawn Williams, 18, during a bar brawl early on April 4.

He was the key witness in the case that saw Signor convicted by a unanimous verdict yesterday of wounding and gun possession [see main story].

Mr. Furbert told the jury that he'd lost friends and had to leave Bermuda amid safety fears after helping the Police.

He was dismissed as a liar by defence lawyers throughout the case, but insisted he was telling the truth, stating: "It's about doing the right thing".

Prosecutor Robert Welling noted during discussions in the absence of the jury on August 18 that the case was being conducted against a "very difficult" background. Mr. Furbert was flanked throughout his evidence by two plain-clothed guards, and only flew back to the Island days before giving evidence.

"There have been threats made to various people," revealed Mr. Welling.

Although he did not detail the nature of those threats, or share them with the jury, Mr. Welling praised Mr. Furbert's bravery during his closing speech on Monday.

"When you stop to consider the evidence that Ronnie Furbert has given to you, you think of the courage that young man has demonstrated, and the sacrifices he's made to make Bermuda a better place," he said.

"Let's hope there are lots of potential Ronnie Furberts out there."

Speaking after the verdict yesterday, Inspector Calvin Smith said: "I concur with that. He seems to be very important."

He also told The Royal Gazette: "I would like to thank everybody that assisted the Bermuda Police, who continue in the fight against these serious crimes. Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to the general public to assist the Police in these matters."

The verdict against Signor was the second guilty verdict in a shooting trial in the past three months.

Cervio Cox, 26, was convicted of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm on May 25 in relation to a triple shooting on Court Street.