Closing arguments began Wednesday for a murder trial linked to street gangs ended with a dramatic twist Monday.
On 22-year-old Whoody Aristilde's last day of trial, a witness for the defence admitted he was the one who pulled the trigger, killing Gabriel Dominique, 24, in the parking lot of the Cinq Etoiles flea market on Feb. 18, 2007.
Despite surveillance video, ballistics evidence and eyewitnesses, the confession threw holes into the prosecution's case, as the defence claimed reasonable doubt.
The video and eyewitness accounts pointed to four men running away from the scene of the incident and boarding the 193 bus a few blocks later. Police quickly apprehended the four men, including Aristilde, on the bus and arrested them.
Aristilde was carrying the .357 Magnum revolver implicated in the shooting and was eventually charged with the attack.
The Crown said the last-minute confession is too convenient, and the witness was likely motivated by a bribe or some other promise.
The witness denied the Crown's claims during cross-examination.
The case may go to the jury as soon as Thursday.
