From left: Alcedo Tyson during his court appearance on March 19, 2012 and the shooting victim Kwanna Todd-Rhymer.
Photo Credit: Gordon French/BVI Platinum News
From left: Alcedo Tyson during his court appearance on March 19, 2012 and the shooting victim Kwanna Todd-Rhymer.
Photo Credit: Gordon French/BVI Platinum News
Alcedo 'Cedo' Tyson will have to face a High Court Judge and jury in relation to the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend, Kawanna Toddissa Todd-Rhymer also known as 'Kay Kay'.
Senior Magistrate Valerie Stephens ruled yesterday, July 17 that there is enough evidence for the case to be sent to the High Court criminal assizes which commences in October. Her decision came following a Preliminary Inquiry (PI).
Rhymer, 20, a native of Dominica was shot on March 16 at the entrance to the CSY dock at Baughers Bay.
Tyson, 23 of Joe's Hill is charged with the indictable offence of murder and is represented by Attorney-at-Law Herbert McKenzie.
During the PI, the crown called four witnesses, followed by the ruling by the Senior Magistrate that a prima facie case was made against Tyson.
At his arraignment some three days following the shooting in March, Prosecutor Christlyn Benjamin in laying out the allegations against Tyson, said he was involved in an intimate relationship with Rhymer which ended last year.
She said on March 15, 2012, Rhymer worked at Delta Gas Station from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm and around 1:00 am on March 16, she along with her cousin went to Paula's Bar in Baughers Bay. Sometime around 3:00 am, they left with two other persons and went to Dueces Night Club.
Benjamin said Tyson was seen at the club in a brown t-shirt and dark-coloured jeans. She said based on information, Rhymer and Tyson did not have any encounter that night, except for a brief conversation.
It is alleged that Tyson was seen staring at Rhymer while she was dancing with her friend.
Benjamin told the court that around 4:15 am, Rhymer, her cousin and a friend were leaving the night club and as they were walking in the parking lot towards the friend's vehicle, Tyson walked past the ladies and went to another vehicle which was parked in the parking lot. It is alleged that Tyson was then seen running back to the ladies and he past the friend who was in front.
"He went up to the deceased [Rhymer], said something to her and shot her in the neck. She dropped to the ground and he stood over her and shot her in the abdomen and then ran to the same vehicle. It was a dark coloured vehicle and the vehicle drove off," Benjamin told the court on March 19.
She said information received has suggested that the area where the shooting took place was well lit and Tyson was not wearing any mask or head gear.
The matter was then reported to the Police.
Benjamin said Rhymer was pronounced dead at 5:30 am on the scene and 2.45 calibre shells were discovered at the scene.
She said later that morning around 10:35 am, Tyson came to the Road Town Police Station. She explained that he was then arrested and two interviews were conducted and Tyson declined to answer any questions at that stage.
At the time, Benjamin said the firearm used in the shooting was not recovered.
Tyson remains on remand.
