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Witness accused of lying to get $100K reward

A man who told Supreme Court that an alleged murderer confessed to the crime was this morning accused of lying in the hope of landing a $100,000 reward.According to evidence from Edwin Darrell, 55, yesterday, Antonio Myers told him he'd shot Kumi Harford on St Monica's Road, Pembroke, in the early hours of December 5, 2009.Mr Darrell said Mr Myers, 25, who he'd known since he was a young boy, approached him on Parsons Road shortly after the shooting and asked him to help dispose of his clothes.Mr Darrell said he refused, which irritated Mr Myers, who later went on to warn him not to speak to the police, even pulling a gun on him on one occasion, the court heard.However, Mr Darrell did end up giving two police interviews about the issue in June 2010 and left the Island the following month for safety reasons.He told the jury yesterday: "I'm giving evidence because I'm tired of the problem and I want to be part of the solution. Also for the love of my grandchildren."He admitted he is a recovering addict who abused cocaine and heroin for 44 years before he left the Island last summer.This morning, Mr Darrell was repeatedly challenged by defence lawyer Jerome Lynch as he cross examined him on his evidence."You never saw Antonio at all on December 5, all day," suggested Mr Lynch."Yes, I saw him there on December 5," replied Mr Darrell."He never at any stage threatened you with a gun," suggested Mr Lynch."I disagree," replied the witness.Mr Lynch went on to suggest Mr Darrell may have been in debt for drugs at the time. Mr Darrell said this was possible.Mr Lynch went on to refer to an advert offering reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the conviction of Mr Harford's killer.Mr Darrell said he'd seen the advert on TV, and it played a part in his decision to approach the police, but it was not his motivation for doing so."My mind was not focusing on that particular thing," he explained."Do you plan to make a claim for that reward if Antonio Myers is convicted?" inquired Mr Lynch."No sir. My benefit for doing what I'm doing is myself and my grandchildren," replied Mr Darrell."Wouldn't $100,000 help them?" asked the lawyer."It wouldn't be the right thing to do," replied Mr Darrell.Myers denies murder and using a firearm and the case continues.