Murder accused wanted to avenge brother's death, court hears

The Supreme Court trial of two men accused of premeditated gun murder began this morning before Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons.

Darrion Simons, 20, and Jahkeo LeShore, 32, both deny killing David Clarke on April 17, 2011.

During her opening statement, Crown Counsel Susan Mulligan told members of the jury they would hear how the deceased attended the Mid-Atlantic Boat Club on the night in question until approximately 10pm. Ms Mulligan said as he was nearing the area of his home, two men pulled up on a bike and fired three shots.

Despite the deceased trying to ward off the men, the prosecutor said Mr. Clarke was hit twice by the bullets—once in the head, and once in the shoulder. He died within minutes.

Ms Mulligan told the jury to expect to hear how the assailants sped off in the direction of Mission Lane and then subsequently abandoned the motorbike in the area before being seen running through the yards of nearby residents.

The prosecutor said one of the assailants dropped “clean and pristine” keys in a yard, which Police discovered were able to lock and unlock the doors in Mr. Simons’ home. Ms Mulligan said DNA evidence also linked Mr. Simons to the keys.

The bike which was discovered abandoned belonged to a Mr. Grimes, the prosecutor continued, who said he left it unlocked in order for people to borrow it.  She added, Mr. LeShore’s DNA was present on the handgrips of the bike.

Ms Mulligan told the jury to expect to hear possible motives. Mr. LeShore’s brother, Jahmiko, was murdered six weeks before Mr. Clarke.

As she told the jury, “In law, vengeance is not a defense to murder,” Ms Mulligan said chats retrieved from Mr. LeShore’s phone will reveal that he wanted to avenge his brother’s death.

Mr. Simons is represented by Larry Mussenden and Duante Williams while Charles Richardson and Craig Attridge are representing Mr. LeShore.

The trial continues.