Confession admitted into evidence in White Water murder trial

The confession of Mark Thompson, who admitted to fatally stabbing his cousin, was yesterday admitted as evidence in his trial.
Thompson is on trial for the murder of Romel Williams, which occurred in January 2008, at White Water Village, North West District.
The prosecution, led by Renita Singh and Diana Kaulessar, is contending that he fatally stabbed Williams after they got involved in a fight between two of their relatives.

According to the prosecution’s case, Williams, his wife and his parents were returning home from church, when they encountered Patrick Daniels, Thompson’s father in-law, fighting with Riley Dass, who is Williams’ nephew.

Williams tried to part the fight and Daniels cuffed him. As a result, Williams retaliated by cuffing Daniels, which the prosecution says caused Thompson to intervene. It is alleged that Thompson, who had a knife in his possession, stabbed Williams in his hands. After being stabbed, Williams ran and fell, but the accused allegedly ran behind him and stabbed him in the centre of his chest before running away in the bushes.

In his statement to police, Thompson gave a different account. He stated that he was drinking with Daniels, who then went to a shop and bought cigarettes. He claimed Daniels lit one but Riley took it away from him and cuffed him. Thompson added that Daniels and Riley began to fight, prompting Williams and his brothers to gang up against the man.

“I went to talk to Romel and he start to fight with me and I fight back he. Then the other brother bank me and me tek a knife from me right side pants pocket and fire two juk to he chest and pon he hand,” he said.

He also said that he ran away into the bushes after stabbing Williams since his brothers began to chase him with a cutlass.
Thompson is represented by attorney Peter Hugh.

The trial will continue on Monday, when Justice Gregory is expected to rule on an application that was made by the prosecution to admit the deposition evidence of a witness who cannot be present to testify.