Accused, Allen Baptiste

Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News

Accused, Allen Baptiste

Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News

In a police interview on April 4, 2011, accused Allen Baptiste told officers that he was at home all night when his 'homie', Keri 'Hank' Harrigan was murdered.

Baptiste and his co-accused, Yan Edwards, are on trial for the murder of Harrigan, who was shot and killed on the night of March 16, 2011 in the area of the Long Look clinic.

On Friday, February 22, the video interview was played during the testimony of Sergeant Gilbert Charles, who was part of the investigating team on the murder case.

Baptiste at the beginning of the interview denied any involvement in the murder and according to him, Harrigan was his 'homie' and learning of his death was a shock to him. He referred to the allegations by police as 'stupidness'.

Baptiste said at the time, he resided at Hope Hill with his girlfriend and children.

The accused said on March 16, 2011, he went to work at Fat Hog's Bay. He related that he left work minutes to 4:00 pm and he got a ride. He said between that period he was home alone on the porch waiting for his girlfriend, who got home between 5:00-5:30 pm.

Baptiste in response to questions from the officers said he did not leave his house that night and that was the life he was living. "...I try not to be in you all [police] way. I am a family man now."

Baptiste, who said he knew Edwards from a little boy growing up, said he only learned about Harrigan's murder the following day when he passed through the area. He said his response was, "What you said, this is a joke."

"That was shocking to me because I don't come out," he told officers.

The accused told the officers that he does not own a gun and has never used one. He also told officers that he passed through at Edwards' work place [Fire Station] on March 14, 2011, but he did not go inside.

From time to time during the interview, Baptiste would indicate that he didn't want to answer some of the questions, noting that he has that right.

Baptiste is being represented by lawyer Patrick Thompson and Edwards by Stephen Daniels; while Prosecutors Valston Graham and Christlyn Benjamin are appearing for the crown.

The trial continues tomorrow, Monday, February 25.