Lasean Bully, of Cashew Hill; Wayne Thomas, of Hatton; and Saleim Harrigan of Greenbay — are charged with killing Nigel Christian
The lead investigator in the Nigel Christian murder trial returns to the witness box today, as the prosecution moves into the final stretch of its case against three men charged with the 2020 abduction and killing of a senior Customs officer.
The sergeant, attached to the Serious Crimes Unit, began her testimony Wednesday before Justice Rajiv Persaud — the last witness the Crown intends to call before closing its case against Saleim Harrigan, Wayne Thomas, and Lasean Bully.
Nigel Christian
On Wednesday, she told the court she was among the first to respond to a report of a homicide in Thibou’s on July 10, 2020, making observations at the scene and subsequently attended a location in Cassada Gardens, where clothing and documents and other items were recovered. She outlined a range of items found in Christian’s vehicle, including a laptop, documents, boxes, and other personal effects — noting the laptop remains in her office and has never been forensically examined. She also confirmed that all attempts to retrieve data from a damaged digital video recorder recovered from the vehicle were unsuccessful. She further referenced a witness who reported seeing a white RAV4 traveling at speed through the Royal Gardens area on the day in question.
The case centres on allegations that the three accused abducted Christian at gunpoint from his McKinnons home on July 10, 2020, before fatally shooting him later that day on a dirt road in Thibou’s.
The prosecution’s case has been built on several pillars. A key witness — a driver — told the court he transported the accused on the day of the killing, witnessed the abduction, followed the group to Thibou’s, and later came upon Christian’s body. He also said he directed police to items recovered at Perry Bay and claimed the accused asked him to source gasoline to destroy evidence. The prosecution has also presented phone data and DNA analysis in support of its case.
The men are represented by Michael Archibald, Sherfield Bowen, and Wendel Alexander. The prosecution is led by Director of Public Prosecutions Clement Joseph and Crown Counsel Curtis Cornelius.
Once the lead investigator concludes her evidence, the Crown will close its case and the defence will begin presenting its own.
I hope these guys spend forever in jail. I hope they beaten till near death. I hope Nigel come to visit and terrorize their lives forever. Cold hearted murderers
This case has weighed heavily on the country for years. A senior Customs officer was abducted from his home and killed in such a brutal way, and people have been waiting a long time to see justice properly carried out. Hopefully the court process now brings some closure for the family.
I Look forward to the defence starting their part of this
The nature of this crime was deeply disturbing when it happened, and it is understandable that people are still emotionally invested in the outcome years later.
As the Crown prepares to close its case, many people across Antigua and Barbuda are hoping the court proceedings move closer to establishing the full truth about what happened to Nigel Christian and finally provide long-awaited answers for the country