A police sergeant testified yesterday in the murder trial of three of his colleagues in the Home Circuit Court that the accused were defending themselves when they shot wanted man Noel Barnes more than 10 times in the chest, hand and head.

Detective Sergeant Lenworth Mellis of the Elleston Road Police Station told the court that a party of about 18 cops went in search of Barnes on August 27, 1999 around 7:00 pm, after receiving a report that Barnes had attempted to rob the Jamaica Gypsum Quarry in Ten Miles, Bull Bay, St Andrew.

Acting on further information, Mellis, a prosecution witness, said the party, which included
Senior Superintendent Reneto Adams, went to the Bito district of Nine Miles - which is about six miles from the quarry - where the party divided itself into groups to search for Barnes.

Mellis further testified that during a search of a vast area overrun by shrubs, he saw blood trailing in two different directions. He said he was able to pick up the trail with the aid of a flashlight.

Mellis told the court that he led a group of cops in one direction and another group consisting of the accused - constables Kirk Nunez and Lerone Witter, both of the Elleston Road Police Station and District Constable Ukent Edward of the Bull Bay Police Station - followed the other blood trail.

Some time after, Mellis said, he heard gunshots. He said he heard Edwards shouting, 'Mr Mellis! Mr Mellis! Si di boy a shoot after wi yaah!'

Mellis said that when he and the others got to where the accused were, he saw Barnes lying on his back clutching a gun, with what appeared to be bullet wounds to the chest and the hand.

Mellis said he removed the gun, containing four live rounds and two spent shells, from Barnes' hand, while his colleagues recounted how they came under fire from Barnes.
When the three were arrested and charged with murder on February 5, 2003, angry residents mounted roadblocks, calling for the cops' release, saying they were not safe while Barnes was around.

Barnes was wanted for a string of crimes in and around the Bull Bay area, including several murders.

The prosecution is contending that the police gunned down Barnes in cold blood.

The trial is expected to continue today.

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