A former homicide detective told the court yesterday the man accused of murdering Nellie Mae Brown-Cox refused to answer questions during his formal interview about one week after the charity worker was found lying in a pool of blood in a South Beach apartment. Contractor Prince Hepburn is on trial, accused of the 2011 murder of Brown-Cox, who was his mistress. Inspector Mark Anthony Barrett, who now deals with high-tech crimes, said Hepburn was questioned on April 13, 2011 by Sergeant Keith Rolle, but the interview did not go well. He said on the advice of his lawyer, Hepburn did not give anything away.
In contrast, Superintendent Theophilus Cunningham told the court on Monday that Hepburn told him on April 7, 2011 that he had to kill Brown-Cox because she was unfaithful after he spent more than $1 million on her. Cunningham said he placed the man under arrest and cautioned him against making further incriminating statements. Barrett said that during the official interview on April 13, Hepburn did not appear well.
However, he said police did not coerce any information from him nor did they place him under duress. Barrett said that following the interview, Hepburn was charged with Brown-Cox's murder. During cross examination, Barrett acknowledged that Hepburn was within his right to decline to answer the detectives' questions and sign the interview form. Barrett was the sole witness to testify in yesterday's proceedings. The matter was adjourned because the prosecution had problems bringing in a particular witness. So far the jurors have heard from 14 witnesses for the prosecution.
The prosecution has about eight additional witnesses to bring before it wraps up its case. The defense will then present its case. Supreme Court Justice Indra Charles said she hopes the trial will end before the Easter break. According to testimony, Brown-Cox died from multiple sharp force wounds to the head, torso and extremities. Dr. Caryn Sands said defensive injuries to the hands showed that Brown-Cox tried to fend off the attack.
Sands said the severe force was used to inflict the injuries that fractured Brown-Cox's skull and ribs and caused hemorrhaging of the brain. She said a cutlass could have caused the injuries. Brown-Cox died sometime between April 6 and April 7. Franklyn Williams, the deputy director of public prosecutions, Basil Cumberbatch and Kendra Kelly make up the prosecution team. Attorney Murrio Ducille represents Hepburn. The trial continues today.
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