The prosecution’s star witness in the Everton “Beachy Stout” McDonald murder trial, Denvalyn ‘Bubbla’ Minott, has admitted that he frequently imported illegal guns into Jamaica from Haiti.
The admission came as defence attorneys attempted to prove to the jury that the witness was unreliable and a criminal.
Minott claims he was hired by the Portland businessman to murder his second wife, Tonia Hamilton McDonald, in 2020.
Mahiri Stewart has more in this report.
The attorney for Beachy Stout’s co-accused Oscar Barnes, Lynden Wellesley, began his cross examination of Bubbla on Tuesday.
He appeared intent on painting the witness as a dangerous man who was a threat to national security.
He began by asking the witness whether a gun he had previously mentioned was a gift or one he had purchased.
Bubbla, who had previously been rattled by defence attorney Christopher Townsend, responded “That’s my personal business!”
Wellesley pressed Bubbla, “No sir, you answer my question!”
But Bubbla refused, repeatedly telling the defence attorney how he acquired the illegal gun was his own personal business.
After being instructed by the Judge to answer the question, Bubbla told the Court he bought the gun in Haiti a long time ago.
At this point Mr. Wellesley suggested to the witness that Mrs. McDonald wanted to kill someone badly, and offered him a contract to do it.
To this Bubbla responded, “Yes, sir.”
The attorney then asked the witness whether he knew if Mrs. McDonald was trying to kill Beachy Stout.
“I don’t know”, responded Bubbla.
Wellesley then pressed the witness on whether he would use the beaches in Portland to do his illegal gun business.
Again, Bubbla responded “Dat is not your business.”
The attorney shot back, “It is the business of the Minister of National Security!”
“How many guns did you buy in Haiti?”
“Whole heap”, responded Bubbla.
“So you brought whole heap of guns into Jamaica? That is why the Minister needs to know you!”, the attorney responded.
Beachy Stout and another man, Oscar Barnes, are on trial for the murder of his wife in July 2020
Tonia McDonald’s partially burnt body was found with her throat slashed in Sherwood Forrest, Portland. Her car had been sent on fire.
Wellesley will continue his cross examination at 10 this morning when he’s expected to press Bubbla on whether he ever properly identified Oscar Barnes as the man he sub-contracted to kill Tonia McDonald.
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