Men guilty of New Year’s Day drive-by shooting

Antigua : Gunmen who opened fire on 12 people in a horrific New Year’s Day drive-by shooting in 2008 have been found guilty following a two-week trial.

Hezekiah Parker and Arthur James aimed a hail of bullets on a group of people hanging out in Point – in front of petrified witnesses – the High Court heard.

The pair, along with a third defendant Azia Robins, were originally charged with attempted murder following the incident which left two men wounded.

Andre James was shot in his left leg, while Jamille Carr was left with injuries to his right thumb.

The incident reportedly stemmed from an earlier altercation in Urlings during a J’Ouvert jump up.

The 12-member jury returned its verdict after two hours of deliberations yesterday.

Justice Keith Thom will determine the men’s fate on December 14 when they return for sentencing on two counts each of shooting with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Crown Counsel Adlai Smith appeared as prosecutor while the trio was defended by attorneys Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin and Cosbert Cumberbatch.