Bassett found guilty of attempted murder
A 21-year-old who shot a man in broad daylight is facing a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted following a retrial.Marico Bassett was just 19-years-old when he opened fire on 44-year-old Randy Lightbourne in the parking lot of the Charing Cross Tavern in Sandys last July.The jury heard Bassett is a member of the Money Over Bitches [MOB] gang that plagues the west end of the Island.Mr Lightbourne, who has family connections to various gangs, was said to be perceived as a threat to MOB.The victim suffered seven gunshot wounds and spent months in hospital.Greeting news of yesterday’s verdict, Detective Inspector Michael Redfern said: “With any case of this kind it’s always mixed emotions, especially when a young person is involved.“But we are pleased justice has been seen to be done. This is the second trial and it’s been a difficult time for the Lightbourne family.“The family has been through a lot; he was shot seven times and is still in the recovery stage. I hope this will bring some closure for him and he can move forward with his life.”Det Insp Lightbourne thanked the witnesses and police officers who helped secure a conviction in the case.Bassett stood charged with attempted murder and using a firearm to commit attempted murder, and denied both charges.Police gang expert Alex Rollin and victim Mr Lightbourne both told the jury Bassett was an associate or member of west-end gang Money Over Bitches (MOB).Mr Lightbourne explained he recognised Bassett as the gunman who opened fire upon him, and that he arrived and left the scene on a motorbike.Mr Lightbourne said he knew members of MOB but also has a nephew, Roger Lightbourne Jr, who was a member of Parkside.In her opening speech, prosecutor Susan Mulligan suggested the motive for the attack was that Mr Lightbourne was “a perceived threat” to MOB.The 9mm semi-automatic pistol gun used to shoot Mr Lightbourne has also been linked to the murder of Dekimo (Purple) Martin in May 2010 and the murder of Colford Ferguson in February 2011.Detective Constable Vernell Burgess told Supreme Court during the trial of Mr Martin’s killer that the weapon belonged to MOB and was shared between members. It has not been recovered by police.The original trial jury found Bassett guilty earlier this year of possessing two bullets, which were discovered by detectives at an apartment near the tavern during the shooting investigation. They were made by the same manufacturer as shell cases found at the shooting scene.However, the original jury failed to reach a verdict on the charges of attempted murder and gun possession.Yesterday’s verdict on those charges came after a retrial which began on October 18. The forewoman of the jury was crying as she delivered them, explaining the verdicts were by a majority of ten jurors to two.