The trial against Kai de Castro (left) and Kion Leonard began before the Magistrate’s Court today, March 11, 2014 with the testimony of one of four Police Officers that the Crown intends to call as witnesses. Photo: VINO

The two men, a high school teacher and a graphic artist, are currently before the Magistrate’s Court having been charged with possession of an illegal weapon and explosives following a police chase on June 14, 2013.

The weapon has been identified as a Glock .45 calibre semi-automatic handgun, with nine rounds of ammunition.

Both men pleaded not guilty after being jointly charged with possession of explosives (9 rounds of .45 calibre ammunition) and carrying a firearm without a licence (Glock 45 semi-automatic pistol) at Pasea.

Leonard pleaded not guilty to throwing an object out of a motor vehicle while de Castro pleaded guilty to driving contrary to the directional flow of traffic. He offered a not guilty plea to the charge of failing to stop at the sound of a siren. de Castro is represented by attorney at law, Richard Rowe, while Patrick Thompson appeared for Leonard.

Today, Sergeant Shawn Henry testified that Leonard’s composure as calm, composed and at times jittery as he was being questioned by Police at the station but said de Castro was reserved and cautious in his responses during a police interview.

He said Leonard admitted during the interview to throwing an object out of the vehicle the two were travelling and told police it was because “he did not want to be here [Police Station].”

Henry said on the day in question, he was dressed in uniform and accompanied by three other officers on mobile patrol in a marked service vehicle when he observed that around 3:30AM, a white Mercury jeep (PK277) at the roundabout near Baugher’s Bay had committed a traffic breach and he pursued the vehicle.

However, the vehicle sped up and the Police siren was turned on in the vicinity of Carib Supply. The vehicle did not come to a stop but instead slowed down at Delta Service station and turned into the premises.

According to Henry, Police followed and observed something had been thrown from the front passenger side and stopped briefly to allow an officer to exit the vehicle and investigate.

The white jeep, Henry continued, proceeded east before heading towards Road Town again as it speeded up once more. It then made a right turn onto the other lane through an intersection in the road and came to a stop.

He further testified that the occupants were directed to switch off the vehicle and exit. The defendants were later cautioned and searched and the vehicle was also searched but nothing illegal was found on their person or in the vehicle. deCastro was the driver of the vehicle while Leonard was the passenger at the time.

Henry said the men were then led to the Delta Service station where the gun was pointed out and asked what it was. De Castro offered no reply while Leonard said “It’s a gun”. He testified that the surrounding area was well lit.

The defendants were later placed under arrest and escorted to the Road Town Police Station where they were later charged with the offences before the court.

Henry testified under cross examination that he was unaware whether prints were taken from the gun but noted that DNA evidence had been taken from both defendants and also from the gun and ammunition. He was not provided with the results of the evidence.

The trial will continue on March 27, 2014.