Did Garfield Coburn, the man who was killed by the cop while at a dance in Lawrence Tavern, have a knife? That is the question most people are asking after the cop charged in connection with the video-recorded murder of the man claimed that Coburn was armed with a knife, and that is why deadly force was used.
The cop has provided a statement claiming that the deceased was shot dead after he pulled a knife and was about to stab a police officer.
An excerpt of the statement was read out in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s court today when constable Kevon Gordon appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey on the charge of murder.
The court was told that the incident that took place on March 6, in full view of others in Mahoney District near Lawrence Tavern, at a party that was being held without permit.
But according to the prosecution, statements from persons at the scene are consistent with the video footage which shows that the deceased, Garfield Coburn, did not have a knife.
Coburn’s relatives have retained attorney Tom Tavares-Finson to oversee the proceedings on their behalf.
