McNeil Says He’s Innocent

As jurors, McNeil’s family and the victim’s mother looked on, the young father told the court that even prior to Taylor’s death, he made reservations to go away to seek medical attention after suffering injuries from playing basketball.

He said he returned home since the designer’s murder.

Jurors also heard that after remaining in the United States for a period of time, McNeil realized that his passport was about to expire and applied for it to be renewed.

He said he was told that the process would take between six and eight weeks.

According to McNeil, when he discovered that the police were looking for him, he tried to find out if he could get a new passport sooner. He said as soon as he was given a date, he made reservations to return home.

But according to the accused, as soon as he picked up his passport (from the Consul General Office in Miami, Florida) he was arrested.

"I am not a murderer. I never had a reason to kill anyone or kill the deceased. I am 22-years-old and have never been in the law’s hands. I have two children whom I love very much. I love my family," he said, as tears streamed from his father’s eyes.

McNeil’s father is Taylor’s former business partner, Troy McNeil.

"These officers deprived me of my freedom for over a year without cause. I have been charged with a murder I did not commit. I’m just ready to be with my family. My children need me and I need my children," he said.

With that, McNeil sat down as his attorney Murrio Ducille called his first and only witness –Robert Miller.

The Turnquest Alley resident said he has known McNeil for three years, having worked alongside him during private functions at Mountbatten House.

The West Hill Street residence is also where police found Taylor’s partially nude body lying in a pool of blood.

Evidence in the case has revealed that Taylor suffered between 42 and 50 injuries.

When asked, the witness admitted to working at Mountbatten House the Friday before Taylor was murdered.

During cross-examination, the witness told the court that although he returned to Mountbatten House on Saturday morning, he did not work the event that was held there later that evening.

But before hearing from both the accused and the witness, jurors got a taste of what McNeil’s attorney intends to bring to court on Thursday.

In his opening address yesterday, Mr. Ducille told jurors that as judges of the facts, they have a solemn duty to deliver a true verdict according to those facts – nothing fanciful or whimsical.

"No one can tell you how to observe the facts, only you and you alone," the defense attorney said.

"When you come to a trial case, you must not speculate. You must be sure – beyond a reasonable doubt. If you are not sure, how can you convict this young man of a serious offense."

Reiterating a suggestion he made earlier this week, Mr. Ducille said the prosecution has not produced any evidence to connect his client to Taylor’s murder.

"Sympathy or prejudice must not play any part in your deliberation.You must deal with the evidence as dispassionately as you can, as unbiased as you can. You are here to make sure that ‘I am only acting on the evidence presented.’ You must be cocksure you have done the right thing. This young man is the victim here." the attorney added.

"When dealing with a case, deal equally and fairly with everyone. When a man has a misfortune, never rejoice. This is not a matter where the prosecution has brought evidence. Yet this young man has been charged and is fighting for his freedom. You are impervious to any influence by anyone. All that is asked of you is that you do your solemn duty."

Both the prosecution and the defense are expected to make closing submissions today at 10:00 .a.m before Senior Supreme Court Justice Anita Allen, who is scheduled to sum up the case a day later.