A key witness in the murder trial of senior Customs official Nigel Christian faced sharp cross-examination on day seven of proceedings, as defence counsel challenged the man's claim that he was overcome by fear on the day of the killing — yet drove past a police station without stopping.
According to Antigua Observer, the intense questioning took place before Justice Rajiv Persaud, with the defence pressing the witness to explain why, if his fear was as overwhelming as he described, he did not take the opportunity to alert authorities at the station that lay directly along his route.
The witness's account came under scrutiny as defence counsel highlighted what they characterised as a significant inconsistency between his stated state of mind and his actions on the day in question. The pointed line of questioning — summarised by the challenge, "If you were so fearful, why didn't you go to the police station?" — sought to undermine the credibility of his testimony.
Nigel Christian, a senior official within Antigua and Barbuda's Customs division, was murdered, and the case has drawn considerable public attention given his prominent standing. The trial before Justice Persaud continues to unfold as both the prosecution and defence present their respective cases.
The proceedings are ongoing, with further witness testimony expected in the days ahead.
