The daughter of slain businessman, Keith Clarke, Britney has accused the Jamaica Defence Force, JDF, of paying millions of dollars to defence attorneys representing the three soldiers who murdered her father.
Britney testified that, in return, the defence has been fabricating stories in the ongoing murder trial of the three soldiers in the Supreme Court in Downtown Kingston.
Keith Clarke was killed during a police/military operation in May 2010.
Britney, who is the second witness in the trial, was being cross-examined on Tuesday.
Robian Williams reports.
The soldiers, Lance Corporal Greg Tinglin, Corporal Odel Buckley, and Private Arnold Henry, have been on trial since May 14 this year.
The defence’s case is that seven to eight men, including then-fugitive Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, were being harboured in the basement at Clarke’s Upper Kirkland Heights house.
Henry’s attorney, Linton Gordon, suggested to Britney that she didn’t know who was in her basement on May 27, 2010.
“You never knew who was there, you just come here and telling the court what you believe and hope that they accept it. That’s what you’re doing.”
Britney, who became irritated, said, “No, what you’re doing is fabricating a story that the army had paid you millions of dollars to speak. That’s what you’re doing. I know my home, and my home was closed.”
Mr. Linton pointed out that she wasn’t able to say if anyone was in her basement because she didn’t look to see on the day in question.
He accused her of making up stories to protect her father’s reputation.
Britney answered, “No, sir, I’m not doing that. That is not true.”
Mr. Linton told her that she had not been truthful throughout the entirety of her testimony.
Britney shot back, “I have been very truthful to this honourable court, you’re the one fabricating stories along with your colleagues. Sir, stop fabricating stories.”
Mr. Linton suggested that the master bedroom that the Clarkes were in was completely dark when the soldiers entered.
He submitted that Mr. Clarke pointed his licensed firearm at the soldiers, and that’s when they started firing their guns at him.
Britney rejected those suggestions.
“He most definitely did not do that, sir. That’s impossible, sir. I do not agree with you.”
Mr. Linton claimed that the witness made up a story about her father climbing down from a closet with his back turned to the soldiers when he was shot twenty-one times.
To this, Britney responded, “In my statement given just after the incident, I indicated that that is what occurred, not knowing that this country or army would go to the lengths of covering up something.”
The trial will resume on Thursday morning at 10.
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