Best friend testifies in Smyth St murder PI

The best friend of murdered businessman Oriley Small took to the witness stand yesterday to deliver testimony in the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the charge against his accused killer Morris Prince.

Mark Cromwell, who is also a friend of the accused, was led in evidence by Police Prosecutor Stephen Telford, before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

After Cromwell’s evidence in chief, defence attorney Mark Waldron cross-examined him.

Telford then told the court that Cromwell was the last witness in the case and a date should be set for submissions.

Morris Prince
Morris Prince

The magistrate later adjourned the matter for today for the defence’s submissions.

Prince was arraigned on the charge in March of this year. The charge read to him alleged that he murdered Small on March 19, at Smyth Street, Werk-en-Rust.

Prince was one of two suspects who were taken into custody for the crime.

Reports stated that Small was shot multiple times shortly after entering the yard of his Smyth Street residence.

A man dressed in a black hoodie was said to have been seen exiting the premises after the shooting, heading in the direction of Princes Street.

That was the third time Small had been targeted by gunmen.

The first occurred in 2009, when he was one of five persons shot at a football match at the National Gymnasium, and the second was in 2012, at the National Cultural Centre, where a football tournament was being played.