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Did Corwin Kill Killa? The Judge Will Decide
posted (February 26, 2014)

Justice Adolph Lucas has reserved judgment after hearing the murder trial without jury of 20 year-old Corwin Bennett, who was accused of gunning down 34 year-old gang leader Raymond "Killa" Gentle in January of 2011.

The prosecution, led by Crown council Shanice Lovell, presented evidence that Gentle was doing construction work on Kraal Road when his assailant shot him 6 times. Gentle's brother testified as an uncooperative eyewitness. He gave police a statement that immediately after the shooting on January 12, 2011, he chased down the shooter but couldn't catch him. He even picked Bennett out of an identification line up. But, in court, he told the court that he didn't want to give evidence in the case because he feared for his life.

Crown Counsel Lovell still managed to get the identification evidence admitted by calling the police officer who conducted the ID parade on the day that the main witness pointed Bennett out of the line-up. The prosecution also tendered 2 caution statements that Bennett gave to police in which he admitted that he was the shooter in one, and in the other, he said that he was with the shooter on that day.

In a statement he gave from the dock, Bennett said that he was doing construction work at a house on Jane Usher Boulevard. He also said in the statement that he was set up to take the rap and that one Mark Lopez paid him $5,000 to take the charge. He also said that on January 20, 2011, 8 days after the incident, members of George Street gang followed him and threatened him that if he did not take the rap, his life and the lives of his family members would be in danger.

Bennett was represented by attorneys Baja Shoman and Michelle Trapp-Zuniga.  They made a no-case submission that Bennett does not have a case to answer because there are inconsistences in the evidence. Justice Lucas did not uphold the submission, and has scheduled March 5 as the date he will give his verdict.

It is hotly anticipated because Killa Gentle was a high profile gang figure from Kraal Road who was trying to transition out of the gang life when he was killed.

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