The prosecution in the murder trial of senior Customs officer Nigel Christian is approaching the close of its case, with only one witness remaining to testify — expected before the end of this week.
According to Antigua News Room, two witnesses concluded their evidence on Tuesday before Justice Rajiv Persaud, moving the Crown closer to wrapping up a case that has spanned several weeks.
A woman who shared a three-year relationship with Christian returned to the stand to complete her testimony. During her evidence, a bag recovered at Perry Bay shortly after the killing was formally entered into evidence. She identified the bag as belonging to Christian, stating he used it to carry his laptop and that its contents — including tea bags and Swiss chocolate — as well as its floral lining, were familiar to her. Under cross-examination, she acknowledged she could not recall certain details about the bag when police first showed it to her and conceded it was not a unique item, but maintained her identification.
An Assistant Superintendent of Police also continued under cross-examination. He told the court he recorded statements from the Crown's key witness — a driver who claims he was present on the day of the killing — initially treating that individual as a person of interest. The officer confirmed the man was later interviewed as a suspect with his approval. He frequently stated he could not recall specific details when pressed during questioning and is scheduled to return to the stand.
The trial centres on allegations that Saleim Harrigan, Wayne Thomas, and Lasean Bully abducted Christian from his McKinnons home at gunpoint on July 10, 2020, before killing him later that day in Thibou's.
The Crown's case has relied heavily on the driver's account. He claimed he witnessed the accused force Christian into a vehicle, that he followed them, and that he later discovered the body. He also testified that he was asked to bring gasoline to burn items later found at Perry Bay, but that he did not comply.
Prosecutors have also called multiple witnesses throughout the trial, including family members, forensic and DNA experts, and an FBI analyst who presented phone and DNA evidence.
The police officer's cross-examination is scheduled to continue on Wednesday, followed by testimony from the lead investigator. The Crown is expected to close its case after that, at which point the defence will begin its presentation.
Bully is represented by attorney Michael Archibald, Thomas by Sherfield Bowen, and Harrigan by Wendel Alexander.
