The jury at the Craig Pope murder trial heard from an officer this morning who was dispatched to search for a suspect after 36-year-old Jonathan Collins was fatally stabbed on Alderberry Lane in St. John’s. It happened September 7, 2017.
RNC Cst. Kyle Smith was on street patrol that day, and was dispatched shortly after 3:30 p.m. to the area of Elizabeth Avenue.
The officer said he was dispatched to look for a lone male suspect who had gotten out of a cab in the area the officer called “the courts.” This area includes Mitchell Court, Stabb Court, Keegan Court and Cowperthwaite Court.
(via Google Maps.)
He was told the suspect was a heavy built man.
When he arrived, Cst. Smith noticed two men walking away from him towards Elizabeth Avenue. The pair crossed the street into a church parking lot.
Cst. Smith told the jury both men turned around, noticed the police cruiser, and split up.
Cst. Smith says the taller man had nothing to say, was cooperative, and was free to go.
The second man was arrested by police. Cst. Smith says he was told that man was Craig Pope, the accused. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/SgVuLYbR0q
— Renell LeGrow (@renell_legrow) June 5, 2019
When police caught up with both men, one was free to go. The other man was arrested. Cst. Smith says he was told this was Craig Pope, wanted in connection with the stabbing investigation.
The trial continues.
