Judge postpones murder verdict for closer scrutiny

(CNS): The anticipated verdict in the crown’s case against 18-year-old Chakane Jamelle"CJ" Scott, for the murder of 21-year-old Asher McGaw (left)  in East End last year has been postponed until next week. Justice Alex Henderson revealed Friday morning that he required a little more time to examine the evidence in the case before settling on his verdict as he postponed the planned 2:00pm hearing to Tuesday.  The case, which was heard alone by the judge, depends heavily on the eye witness testimony of a 17-year-old man who says he was there when Scott begun shooting at his best friend, McGaw, in the early hours of the morning of 22 September.

The body of the young East End man was discovered by police on routine patrol lying in the road in John McLean Drive. He had been shot three times to the head and body.

On the night of the shooting Antascio Rankine said that the three men, who were all friends since childhood, had gone to the car park of the East End clinic in order to fire off a flare gun and at some point Scott turned on McGaw with a real weapon. Rankine said he fled from the scene to his own home and because he was so confused failed tosummon the emergency services.

Although Scott failed to give evidence or answer police questions regarding the accusations against him, via his attorney he denied being present at the shooting or knowing anything about the killing.

The verdict will now be delivered at noon on Tuesday.