Barbara Gayle, Staff Reporter
JOEL ANDEM, the reputed 42-year-old gang leader who was on the police most wanted list until he was captured in May last year will know his fate today when he appears in the Gun Court.
The defence closed its case yesterday at Andem's trial and Justice Patrick Brooks said he will hand down the verdict today.
Andem has been on trial since last Monday on charges of shooting with intent and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.
After the Crown closed its case on Thursday, Andem took the witness box and was cross-examined.
He said in his defence that he knew nothing about the charges against him. He denied shooting at a police party in January, 2002.
The Crown, represented by Anthony Armstrong, acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, led evidence that Andem fired shots at a police party at Skyline Drive, Jacks Hill, St. Andrew, on January 27, 2002.
Yesterday Andem called a witness who he said was at the house when the police went there. He said Andem was not at the house at Skyline Drive.
On being cross-examined by Mr. Armstrong, the witness admitted that he was arrested in connection with the Skyline Drive incident for charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition and possession of a dangerous explosive.
The witness said he did not know Andem and had only seen his photograph on television and in the newspapers. On being asked if he saw Andem in court, the witness looked around the courtroom and said he did not see Andem.
Policemen testified last week that they knew Andem before the day of the shooting incident. They said acting on information they went to a premises at Skyline Drive about 9:00 a.m. on January 27, 2002.
MEN RUNNING
They said they saw men running from the premises and one of them fired at the police party.
They said they saw Andem looking through a door and as he ran from the premises, he fired shots at them. The policemen said they had known Andem since 1999.
Last Thursday, Andem said that he never left his house at Land Lease, Cutabong, near Hope Pastures, St. Andrew on the day of the alleged shooting.
He said when he woke up about 6:00 a.m. on May 27, 2002, he took his radio and went into the bushes where he could look at his house and the road. He said he never left the area that day.
