Today the case of Elvis Myers, a resident of Gales Point Manatee charged with the murder of Winsfield Slusher, Jr., and the wounding of two others, a policeman, Keith Cruz, then 22, and a resident, Ionie Slusher, (the deceased’s sister), began in front of Justice John Gonzalez this morning after a jury of 12 persons, seven women and five men were selected.
The incident occurred on December 26, 2006, Boxing Day.
According to police, Myers, sometime between the hours of 9:00 and 10:00 p.m., during a cultural celebration known as “Sambi,” which the villagers of Gales Point Manatee were celebrating, dancing around a fire in the middle of the village, Myers fired in the crowd, killing Slusher and injuring Cruz and Ionie Slusher.
The shooting was as a result of an argument between one Gilbert Welch and Ionie Slusher.
PC Cruz told the court that while he was on duty in the village, he had to intervene in an argument between two residents, Welch and Ionie Slusher.
When he asked why the two were arguing, he got no response, but while doing so, Myers jumped in front of him and pulled Welch from the area.
He then punched Ionie in the face, and she fell to the ground, said Cruz.
The policeman said he then pulled out his .38 and fired a shot in the air, and the crowd then dispersed.
According to Cruz, Myers then said to him, “Dah fight yuh wah fight? Watch wehn ah come back, ah wah kill out all ah uno ras!” and he left in a car, driven by his brother.
He returned and began shooting in the crowd, then pointed the gun at PC Cruz and shot him in the leg.
The second witness was Ionie Slusher, who told the court that on that day in question, she and Welch got into an argument because he had pushed a lighted fire stick on the chest of her 15-year-old son.
As a result, Myers intervened and punched her in the nose, said Ionie. It has not yet been revealed in court what is the relationship, if any, between Myers, Ionie and Slusher.
The case was adjourned at 4:30 p.m., and Ionie is scheduled to continue to testify tomorrow morning at 9:30.
The prosecutor, Nigel Ebanks, is expected to call 10 witnesses in all.