A former gang member turned crown witness previously testified how he secretly recorded the conversations. He was recalled to the stand to identify the voices and further analyze the exchange in the three-way conversation purportedly between a former gang member now state witness, the lone female defendant Stephanie Christie and another defendant only identified as ‘City Puss’. The conversation was laced with expletives.
The conversation was allegedly recorded on April 23, 2019, at this time the reputed gang leader Andre ‘Blackman’ Bryan was already in police custody and City Puss has been serving a life sentence since 2012. Christie, a pastor, known to the witness as ‘Muma’ joined in the conversation singing “good news for the chariot is coming, good news…”
The callers then started ranting, questioning the loyalties of other members, saying “di bwoy dem a switch, while we defend Blackman” They were seemingly plotting against some of the defendants on trial.
The three accused a member called Biggs,- who is now a state witness- of short-changing the organization after collecting money… Christie was heard expressing her allegiance to Bryan, saying many times she had to miss church to make him comfortable.
In another instance Christie was heard saying “if mi never have love and have faith inna mi heart mi woulda gone a jail to… But God see seh somebody affii deh yah fi have Umbre back.” – Umbre here used in reference for Bryan.
She went on further to say that ” Umbre a come a him yard… We haffi guh down inah some strong fasting and prayer”
Meanwhile ‘City Puss’ was heard saying that no one can be trusted and that they will have to recruit some, “likkle bwoy… To instruct them and grow dem inah di ting cause di youth dem a di future.”
The former gangster who was secretly recording the exchange said he facilitated the conversation as part of his decoy so that the gang members would continue to trust and have confidence in him.
To which the reputed leader was heard mumbling, “yuh did a dweet good.”
The trial will reconvene on Friday at 10 am.
