Wakima Lettsome

Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

Wakima Lettsome

Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

Wakima Lettsome, who is charged with attempted murder in connection with the shooting of a man in the Crab Lot area, commonly known as the 'Ghetto', will go before a Judge and nine member jury later this month.

Lettsome, 30 of East End along with his lawyer, Stephen Daniels, were told yesterday that the trial will commence on October 29.

According to court records, on Friday November 18, 2011 sometime after 10:00 pm, the complainant, Johnaton Colaire was in the Crab Lot area. At the time, he was having a conversation with another man when he heard a loud outburst of someone cursing. He looked and recognized the defendant Lettsome as the person who was cursing at him.

Lettsome was wearing a white shirt and his hair was plait in cornrows. It is alleged that the complainant has known Lettsome for several years.

It is alleged that Lettsome then began to threaten the complainant, accusing him of dissing him and threatened to slap him; however, the alleged victim ignored Lettsome and walked away.

Lettsome then followed him and began pushing him with his hands. The complainant did not retaliate and instead continued walking away from the defendant, who continued to pursue him.

After a few minutes, Lettsome ran out of the 'Ghetto' and returned a few minutes later. This time, the court heard that he was dressed in dark clothing.

It is alleged that he was a few feet away from the complainant when he lifted his hand and shot at the complainant. According to the allegations, after Lettsome shot the complainant he said, "Take that in your mother [expletive]".

At that stage, the complainant felt a pain in his stomach and he ran away, but collapsed at a nearby apartment. The injured man was then assisted by friends and was transported to the Peebles Hospital where he underwent surgery. He sustained a gunshot wound to the right side of his abdomen.

On Thursday, November 24, around 12:20 pm, Police carried out investigations into the report and acting on information, officers travelled to Jose Van Dyke where the defendant was arrested and transported to Road Town Police Station.

Searches were then carried out at Lettsome's residence and motor vehicle PV24559 and according to Police, they retrieved certain items of clothing which were seized for forensic examination.

Lettsome is on remand.