Man claims he was there when accused plotted to kill ‘Lazo’

Uroy ‘Laybay” Robinson, star prosecution witness in the Lloyd “Lazo” Samuel murder case, has said he was present when murder accused Che Bute and Azari Ash plotted to kill Samuel.{{more}}

Bute, who goes by the moniker “Ragga”, and Ash, who is also known as “Heifer” or “Nines”, are accused of the shooting death of Samuel, back on December 21, 2007, at Redemption Sharpes.

In a fiery testimony, Robinson recalled being at the home of Kimron “Skinnan” McDowall in Hollywood, Redemption Sharpes, along with both accused and Maurice “Gamoon” Clifton.

Robinson told the court that he, Che and Azari were like brothers back then. Robinson said he met Bute and McDowall (deceased) when he went to prison in 2007. He later met Ash when he was released.

Telling his story, Robinson said sometime after 10 pm on the night Samuel was shot, Ash told Bute that Samuel had just left his home.

“Azari come and tell Che that Lazo gorn way and Che say is the best time to mark him when he come back,” Robinson testified.

Detailing the plot, Robinson said Bute gave Ash a black, long-sleeved T-shirt; a pair of black trousers; a black tam with holes cut out for the eyes and mouth and a pair of gloves.

An animated Robinson added that Bute took out the bullets from a .32 revolver, placed them in a plastic bag and put them into a pot of boiling water. Robinson said Bute said, “This go mek sure the man dead.”

He said Bute then placed the bullets back into gun, handed the gun to Ash and told him “to make sure it was a safe scene.”

Robinson said while he and Gamoon were smoking marijuana, Ash fist bumped him and Gamoon and went through the back door of the house. Robinson said he went to sleep not too long after Ash left.

Around 1a.m., on December 22, Robinson testified that Ash returned and said: “Ragga, that dead; ah put all in he head; ah full up he head…”

He said Bute then told Ash to wash off his skin because the gun powder will be on him. Robinson said Bute took out five empty shells from the gun and threw them into the toilet. He stated that Bute placed the black clothing from Ash in a plastic bag and carried it to a garbage receptacle at the road. He also said Bute placed the gun in a plastic bag and buried it in the yard and hid the mask behind a rock.

Robinson said he gave Ash a pair of short, acid wash jeans and a plaid shirt to wear after he came back to the house.

Later that morning, Robinson said Bute told them that they would all go on the playing field in Sharpes and “lime like normal; like how we does do it.”

Shortly afterwards, while playing football, Robinson said he saw police officers from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) take Bute and Gamoon in the transport alone. “They didn’t walk with Zari (Ash). He was a sly boy; Sly and wicked.”

According to Robinson, after Bute was released from police custody two days later, he informed the others that they would all attend Samuel’s funeral clad in Khaki suits. “All ah we been dress so and we been there (at the funeral) taking out pictures,” he explained.

Robinson said that he, McDowall, Gamoon and others were part of a crew called the “Dutty Cup Crew”, of which Bute was “the boss”. He noted that his crew was involved in a war with a rival faction in the neighbourhood.

Robinson explained that “there was a serious war going on with Lazo.”

“Che say Lazo pay ah man to kill them and they got away by an inch, cause the man shoot at them,” Robinson further testified.

Robinson said Bute had told him that he had shot at Lazo’s car several times, on a different occasion.

When asked by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Colin Williams why it took so long for him to give a statement, Robinson explained that he was “fed up and wanted to live for his unborn child. I wanted to be Uroy again.”

Robinson gave two statements to the police. One on April 19, 2010, and the other on April 24, 2010. The young man explained to the court he had stopped hanging around and talking to Bute and Ash in 2009, because he was fed up of their ways and kept referring to them as “Animals.” Because of that, Robinson claimed that they wanted to kill him just because he did not hang around them anymore.

He noted that he spoke to the police of his own free will. He added that he had been locked up by the police times before, but did not tell the police anything about the matter because he was covering for the accused.

Under cross examination by defence attorney Jomo Thomas, Robinson explained that it was after the birth of his child back in 2009 that he decided to change his life.

Seeking to bring his character and credibility into question, Thomas highlighted some of Robinson’s previous convictions and charges from 2011 which are still pending before the Serious Offences Court.

Robinson, who has convictions for discharging a firearm, damage to property, among others, did not refute any of the charges presented against him and did not hesitate to tell the court that he was a “bad boy”.

“So Mr Robinson, you really didn’t change your life?” Thomas asked. Robinson replied: “Yes please, my Lord.”

Robinson, who is currently serving a six month sentence for non payment of a fine, remained adamant that he was telling the truth throughout his testimony.

In starting off his cross-examination, the other defence counsel in the matter, Carlyle Dougan Q.C., asked to see the Robinson’s face. “You’re a thief! You’re one of the worst of the worst…,” Dougan stated as he pointed at Robinson.

The Queen’s Counsel then told Robinson to hold out his left arm. “That looks like a gunslinger hand,” Dougan said.

Robinson replied, “By the way, I am right handed.”

Dougan also went onto call Robinson a violent person and a liar. Robinson, however, did not dispute the fact that he was violent and stated that had he not changed, he would have ended up where Bute and Ash are.

Other testimony came from Marlon Primus, who said he and his girlfriend had just alighted a taxi when he heard the sound of four gunshots. He said when he went to where he heard the shots, he saw Lazo lying on the ground with blood coming from his face.

Detective Sergeant Hezron Ballantyne, Samuel’s girlfriend Angela ‘Idesha’ Jackson and Detective Inspector and head of the Major Crimes Unit, Sydney James also gave testimony.

Counsel Carlos James also appears with the defence. Justice Frederick Bruce-Lyle presides over the case.

The case continues at the High Court.