Court hears side of co-accused in Simone Campbell-Collymore murder case

One of the alleged murder accomplices in the January 2, 2018, shooting death of businesswoman Simone Campbell-Collymore told the police that it was after her death that he learnt that she was the wife of Omar Collymore.

The co-defendant, Shaquille Edwards, in a police statement, disclosed that he was aware that there was a hit on the woman’s life and that he had even accompanied others in watching her Mercedes Benz motor car.

But, he indicated that he did not know her relation to Collymore until he saw the news about her death.

However, Edwards told the police that on the day of the shooting he was not present as he had told the men that he did not want to accompany them.

The court also heard that the witness first met Collymore less than a month before his wife’s death and that they had only “exchanged words twice.”

Edwards, the court further heard, told the police that he had told his friend and co-defendant Michael Adams a lie about the car he was driving running out of gas because he no longer wanted to be involved “in di programme.”

Collymore, who is accused of orchestrating his wife’s murder, is currently on trial in the Home Circuit Court along with Edwards Adams and Dwayne Pink.

The men are also being tried for the death of Winston Walters, a taximan.

Walters, who was transporting Campbell-Collymore, lost his life during the shooting attack outside her apartment on Stanley Terrace in St Andrew.

Edwards’ revelation came while the police corporal who had taken his statement was giving evidence at the trial.

The court also heard that Edwards was shown a picture of the businesswoman and was instructed by Adams to watch her Mercedes Benz.

Edwards had also told the police that Adams had rented three vehicles for the “occasion” and that he (Edward) drove all of them at some point.

He said the vehicles include a Blue Toyota Yaris motor car.

The police corporal further testified that Edwards told him that he met Collymore twice and that the first time they met was at his business place in Clock Tower Plaza in Half-Way-Tree, St Andrew.

However, he said the purpose that time was to discuss business as he was told he could purchase goods from Collymore.

The court further heard that Edwards indicated that it was a friend ‘Punisha’ who had introduced him to Collymore in December 2017.

But, he said when he met him for the first time Adams and Punisha were present.

He also told the officer that he first saw the benz motor car when Collymore drove it to Punisha’s home.

Edwards further said in his statement that he saw the Benz at the foot of Red Hills in St Andrew and that on that occasion it was being driven by “di same woman who di problem fi run pon.”

He disclosed in his statement that he saw the Benz three times and that Pink was present at one point.

Edwards further revealed that on one occasion while he was travelling with Adams, he collected a black and gold sky walker from Collymore.

According to the officer, Edwards told him that Adams called him on January 1 and asked him “if him nah do road” and he told him no.

The witness said Edwards said he later saw the news about Campbell-Collymore’s death on television and the Internet and learnt then that it was Omar Collymore’s wife.

According to the police officer, Edwards told him that was all the information that he had and the would gladly share if he had more.