Dec. 4, 2002 – The defense was to present its case Wednesday in the murder trial of Wade "Yardee" Gumbs, described by law-enforcement officials as one of St. Thomas's most notorious criminals. Prosecutors rested their case Tuesday, the first day of the trial in Territorial Court, with testimony by a witness who said she has been the target of threats.
Heavy security is much in evidence at the Alexander Farrelly Justice Center, which houses not only the court but Police Department operations and the Corrections Bureau. Law enforcement sources have said they fear efforts at retaliation against Gumbs, who is accused of fatally shooting Rudolph Fleming last December.
Court documents filed by police state that Gumbs opened fire on Fleming as the victim drove through the Savan community. Fleming suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.
The government's key witness told the jury on Tuesday that she was in a beauty salon on the day of the shooting when she heard Gumbs arguing on the street about a turf war with other individuals in the Garden Street area. Almost immediately, according to testimony, Fleming drove through Savan in a Toyota sedan and Gumbs reached into the bushes, armed himself and fired on Fleming.
The witness, whose identity was withheld at the request of prosecutors, also told the jury that she was subsequently threatened. While at a bus stop, she said, she was approached by a man who grabbed her handbag, rifled through it and threatened her when he found the business cards of federal agents. Later, she said, someone telephoned her at home and warned that if she spoke to police about the shooting, her son would be killed. Federal agents took her son into protective custody and flew him off island. The woman herself is in a protection program.
Police Detective Mario Stout told the jury that there were several other witnesses to the shooting but all have been afraid to come forward with information.
Since Monday’s jury selection, Special Operations Bureau police officers have been stationed at both entrances to the Justice Center on Veterans Drive. Court marshals and police officers also are posted at the Territorial Court entrances.
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