Defence attorneys in the Nigel Christian murder trial challenged the integrity of the police investigation on Monday, accusing officers of planting a ski mask at the home of one of the accused after forensic tests found no DNA linking Wayne Thomas to the item.
The allegation arose during testimony from an officer who executed search warrants at the homes of the accused. Defence lawyers also questioned whether proper evidence procedures were followed and challenged the basis for arresting the men for robbery without identifying the alleged offence.
A digital forensics corporal was also pressed during cross-examination, with defence attorneys suggesting he had previously been removed from the cyber investigations unit over concerns about evidence handling — which he denied. The officer acknowledged he only retrieved surveillance footage from between 5 and 6 p.m. on the day of the killing and did not search for footage of a white Toyota RAV4 mentioned by a key prosecution witness.
Jurors have been shown several surveillance clips, including footage from Marble Hill Road that appeared to show Christian’s truck followed by a silver car, though licence plates were not visible.
Family members of the slain Customs officer also testified, with his sister confirming the identification of his body and his brother telling the court that Christian had previously warned him to remain vigilant amid tensions at his workplace.
Lasean Bully, Wayne Thomas and Saleim Harrigan are charged with the 2020 killing of the senior Customs official. They have all pleaded not guilty. The trial continues before Justice Rajiv Persaud.
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