A day after it started, an attempted-murder trial came to an end Wednesday after High Court Justice Nicola Byer declared a mistrial, confirmed defence attorney Michael Maduro.
Matthew Hazel is facing charges of attempted murder, attempted robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of explosives.
The defendant allegedly exchanged shots with an off-duty police officer while attempting to rob him outside of a bank in Road Town on Feb. 16, 2015.
In the Crown’s opening remarks on Tuesday, Senior Crown Counsel Leslie Ann-Faulkner told the jury that police Sergeant Durville Carty was depositing cash from One Mart’s daily earnings at the FirstCaribbean International Bank when a masked gunman approached him.
The assailant demanded the money and fired a shot, the prosecutor said.
Mr. Carty, who had just exited his vehicle, told the gunman the money was still in the car, she said.
While the robber was searching the vehicle, Ms. Faulkner said, the officer retrieved his own gun to defend himself.
After seeing the officer’s weapon, the assailant fired another shot at Mr. Carty and then tried to flee, but the officer fired back and chased after him, according to the Crown.
The men exchanged shots during the chase, but the defendant eventually escaped, the prosecutor said.
However, Mr. Carty recovered the mask, which the gunman had removed during the chase, she added.
“We say that the gunman was the accused, Matthew Hazel,” Ms. Faulkner said, adding that the Crown will rely on firearm experts, DNA evidence and CCTV footage to make its case.
According to the Crown, the defendant sought treatment for a gunshot wound at Peebles Hospital shortly after the incident.
The matter was reported to police, and the defendant was taken into custody after being released from the hospital on Feb. 24.
Mr. Hazel, who is represented by defence attorneys Valerie Stephens-Gordon and Michael Maduro, is a native of St. Vincent and a belonger to the territory.
His retrial is expected to occur next year.