Witness, CCTV Footage Links Royden Sebastian To Burrows Murder

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BVI Platinum News

(PLTM) - Witness identification and Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), has assisted in placing Free Bottom resident Royden Sebastian, 37, before the Magistrate’s Court for the murder of George Burrows of Purcell Estate.

Magistrate Christilyn Benjamin said on Thursday October 15, 2020, that Sebastian was not required to enter a plea, as the matter was indictable, meaning it is heading to the High Court to be tried before a judge and jury.

The court heard from the Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs.Tiffany Scatliffe-Esprit that on the night in question the deceased Mr. Burrows was lying on the floor of his private residence watching African Movies while his five children were home.

He has two teenage daughters, two sons and one stepson who resides with him.

The allegations are that on September 2, 2020, the curfew was in effect when the defendant entered the home of Burrows from the kitchen door. During that time, the stepson was having a meal in the kitchen; when he saw a lone gunman enter, he fled from the house.

The gunman allegedly fired a shot behind the stepson, but missed, and continued to pursue him, during which time he fired a shot at Burrows to his head, killing him.

Despite the hot pursuit, the gunman was unsuccessful in capturing the stepson and he allegedly returned to the residence. When he got to the home, the court heard that he attempted to pull the trigger behind one of the sons of Burrows who was on a wheelchair.

Captured

In the meantime, the probe into the matter led to a witness who claimed they heard the gunshots and reporedly say what tarnspired.

The witness had a ‘good view [of the Burrows home] due to the lighting,” the DDP said.

The witness, she stated, also provided a photo of the gunman to the police as the person they knew for several years.

The police also found CCTV footage of the area, which showed someone fitting the description of the defendant wearing a white shirt and dark pants. The DDP said during a police operation at the Purcell Estate Basketball court; the defendant was seen and immediately apprehended and taken into custody on October 13.

He was interviewed with his attorney but denied that he had anything to do with the murder of Burrows.

He said he was on the said court with others when they heard the gunshots on the night in question, and while the others ran away, he did not immediately flee.

He was subsequently charged with the offence.

Due to the nature of the offence, the court was unable to hear a bail application, as it was within the remit of the High Court. As a consequence, he was remanded to the prison.

He is scheduled to return to court on February 1, 2021.

Attorney David Penn represents him.

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