Deon Green, Gleaner Writer
LONDON, England:
A FORMER associate of 23-year-old Joel Smith, who is on trial for the double murder of Jamaicans, seven-year-old Toni-Ann Byfield and Bertram Byfield, thought to be her father at the time of her death, told the Old Bailey Criminal Court this week that the accused asked him to provide an alibi, but he refused.
The former associate said he had no plans to provide a false alibi.
The murder trial is in its second week with Smith, of no fixed address being the prime suspect. He is accused of the murders which were committed on September 14, 2003 at a bedsit in North London.
CALLED HIM FROM PRISON
Smith's former associate, 24-year-old club promoter Alvin Robinson, told the court from behind a screen that Smith called him from prison and asked him to back him up by saying they were both handing out flyers for a promotion at the time of the cold-blooded murders.
Prosecutor Richard Horwell asked Robinson whether there was "any truth in this alibi?"
He replied, 'No, not at all'. Robinson added that he did not intend to provide a false alibi despite not rejecting Smith's request.
The court further heard that Robinson was seen at a club in Southall on the night of the killings, countering claims by the accused that he had spent the day with Robinson at his flat until around 1:00 a.m. before going home.
However, the former friend admitted it was possible he was with Smith earlier in the day handing out flyers.
Mr. Robinson was taken into custody by the police on suspicion of being the gunman's getaway driver.
