Accused in fatal mini mart robbery told cops he didn’t know anyone would be shot

According to a caution statement admitted into evidence, murder accused Steffon Campbell told police that he did not shoot anyone and was unaware that anyone would have been shot during a fatal robbery at the Cornbread Mini Mart in 2012.

Campbell, Faisal Moore and Ray Yokum are on trial before Justice Navindra Singh and a 12-member jury at the High Court, in Georgetown, for the murder of Glen Xavier.

The allegation against them is that on May 9, 2012 at D’Urban Street, Georgetown, they murdered Xavier, in the course or furtherance of a robbery. They have pleaded not guilty.

From the caution statement read by Detective Sergeant Rodwell Sarrabo, the court heard that after arriving at the Mini Mart, Campbell said that Moore, called “Hard Mouth,” whipped out a gun and started shooting. 

Faisal Moore
Ray Yokum

The accused, from the statement, then went on to explain that he did not know “Hard Mouth would have shoot the man.”

“I sorry fuh wah happen that the man get shoot… I din kill duh man, when Hard Mouth guh pon de wuk,” the statement details Campbell as saying.

The defence suggested to Sarrabo, under cross-examination, that the accused never gave the statement. The witness, however, remained adamant that he did.

Testifying yesterday, also, was Randolph Nedd, a friend of the deceased who gave his evidence via Skype from the United States.

He recalled being at a nearby pharmacy on the day in question when he heard what sounded like gunshots.

Nedd said that after rushing over to the mini mart, he found his friend and another man lying in a pool of blood and quickly summoned assistance in transporting them to the hospital.

Steffon Campbell

The trial continues at 9 this morning.

Defence attorneys Peter Hugh and George Thomas are representing Yokum. Campbell and Moore are being represented by attorneys Maxwell McKay and Trenton Lake, respectively.

The state’s case is being presented by prosecutors Siand Dhurjon and Tuanna Hardy.

Xavier, 26, of Harlem, West Coast Demerara, was shot when men, armed with handguns, carried out the attack on the mini mart at D’Urban and Lime streets, before escaping with an undisclosed amount of cash on two Honda CG motorcycles. Xavier, who was shot in his chest and left hand, later succumbed to his injuries. He died from haemorrhage and shock, due to gunshot injuries.