In an unsworn statement from the dock, murder accused Michael Adams insinuated that while he was in lockup, he was beaten by the police to cooperate with their investigation.
Adams is charged with the murder and conspiracy to murder of businesswoman Simone Campbell Collymore and her taxi driver, Winston Walters.
The pair was killed on January 2, 2018. It’s alleged that Simone’s husband, Omar Collymore, hired Adams to carry out the hit.
As we hear in this report from Robian Williams, Adams is denying the charges.
Michael Adams stood in the dock for nearly half an hour, proclaiming his innocence. He became a suspect in the case on January 29, 2018.
He was escorted to the Constant Spring police station by a lawyer, where he was placed in custody.
According to Adams, he was transferred to another lockup, where he was questioned without his lawyer.
He said, “I indicated to them that I need mi lawyer, and before mi seh nothing, mi a guh need mi lawyer.”
He claimed that a member of the constabulary turned to him and said, “a you and yuh friends dem guh kill di people dem up a Red Hills.”
Adams said, “Dem cut mi two box and ting, and we deh deh… and mi see JP come and dem mek mi sign paper.”
He said he was asked by his attorney why he signed; he said, “Based on how them a behave and di treatment weh mi a get, mi never waaan get nuh more lick… Mi tell mi attorney seh mi a guh fight di case cause mi do not know anything about any murder.”
Adams denied ever having a meeting with murder convict Wade Blackwood, who has testified against him in the trial.
He added that on January 2, 2018, he was in the downtown Kingston region conducting business and purchasing goods. He refuted the allegation that he was trailing Simone Campbell Collymore.
Adams said, “I wasn’t trailing any vehicle or following anyone; I am not a security to watch anyone, and I did not get paid to watch anyone of the sort. Mr. Collymore did not pay me or give me any contract to kill anyone.”.
He maintains that his relationship with Collymore was strictly business. The Collymores operated an electronics store in Halfway Tree St. Andrew.
In his sworn statement on Monday, Omar Collymore explained that Adams would buy phone chargers, phone cases, headphones, and other accessories on consignment.
Call data records show that there were 379 lines of communication between Omar and Adams from December 25, 2017 to January 2, 2018.
Adams insisted that the calls were business-related. He said he and Collymore would also talk about girls and parties.
“Some of the calls were not connected; we talked about business, life, and girls because we’re typically humans. Well, I know he’s married, but you know girls are girls and men will always be men. Sometimes we cheat, sometimes some don’t. I don’t know Mr. Collymore as no killer.”
Adams also refuted the claim that he was given a hoverboard as a down payment for the alleged contract killing.
Collymore and Adams are charged jointly with two others, Shaquilla Edwards and Dwayne Pink.
The trial will continue on Friday morning at 10.
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