Maverick De Abreu, who is on trial for allegedly assaulting Trinidadian Soca singer Rodney ‘Benjai’ LeBlanc, yesterday proclaimed his innocence.
“I was not at Palm Court Night Club… I’ve been wrongly accused of this offence and I’m innocent,” he testified yesterday while leading his defence.
De Abreu, who is currently on trial before Magistrate Faith McGusty in Georgetown, opted to give an unsworn statement, meaning that he could not be cross-examined.
It has been alleged that LeBlanc, while standing outside of the night club compound, tapped on a vehicle that was reversing in his direction. As a result of this, De Abreu allegedly exited the car and asked the singer, “You think is Trinidad, you deh?” and pointed a gun in LeBlanc’s face. Not long after, LeBlanc was struck with an object, causing injuries to his face.
During his testimony, he stated that he was not at Palm Court Night Club on April 15th, 2017 nor April 16th, 2017. The accused also told the court that he never threw a glass object at Le Blanc, which resulted in him sustaining injuries to his face.
“I do not know Mr. Le Blanc and I never saw him prior to the commencement of these proceedings,” he stated.
According to the accused, a video of an incident at Palm Court showing someone throwing a glass object at the complainant tendered by Sergeant Rodwell Sarabo did not show him.
De Abreu maintained that from the time he was arrested and told of the charge against him by Sergeant Sarabo, he would have denied the allegation.
“Your honour, I’ve been wrongfully and unjustly accused of this offence and I’m innocent,” he added.
Subsequent to his testimony, defence attorney Mark Waldron indicated to the court their intentions to call three witnesses and sought the court’s assistance in summoning them. The matter was later adjourned until October 11th.
Attorneys Keith Scotland and Eusi Anderson are serving as prosecutors in the case.
