Shane Connor home invasion trial begins four years after incident

(CMR) Shane Edward Connor (44) appeared in Grand Court Monday to answer charges relating to his alleged involvement in a 2017 home invasion on Amity Street in Patrick's Island which resulted in over $30,000 in goods being stolen. Prosecutor Scott Wainwright outlined in his introductory remarks which he says are the facts that should convince a jury to convict Connor for his rule in the June 17, 2017 home invasion.

Wainwright explained that three masked men initially attempted to burglarize a residential premise on Camelot Drive off West Bay Road.CCTV footage caught the men making “determined efforts” to break into the residence. The prosecutor noted that too will Graham backpacks and one was in possession of a silver revolver.

Unthwarted By their initial failure they continued their night of terror.

After being unable to gain access to the house they proceeded to steal a silver Honda Civic at the Marriott Hotel before proceeding to the residence of Stephen Maria Butler around 4:00 am. He continued that the prosecution's evidence would show that the couple woke up to find three masked men in their bedroom who subsequently made demands for cash jewelry and the like.

The male occupant of the house had a gun placed to his head, the pair were bound on their beds with duct tape and told that one of the robbers had previously killed five persons and they would become six and seven. The female homeowner was subjected to vulgar statements and was fearful of being sexually assaulted.

Both witnesses shared how the husband was assaulted with a hammer and demands are made for money and information on the location of a safe. They provided the armed men With additional money but noted that there was no safe.

After the ordeal and the masked man left she was able to free herself and call 911. Realizing that the men had stolen her iPhone she was able to launch the find my phone app and the iPhone was traced to an address at Slate Drive in the vicinity of the earlier burglary attempt. Police officers discovered the backpacks, a hammer, a Cartier watch, and the missing iPhone and other electronic items stolen from the house.

Ironically, another arrest was made on Eastern Avenue of another defendant Caine Thomas when he collided with a light pole. In that gold Honda, a distinctive Halloween mask and garbage bag containing clothing already doused with gasoline were discovered. He was the first of the four defendants to be arrested. The prosecution also alleges that there is DNA evidence of gloves recovered from that bag that implicates Connor.

It was alleged that Caine's brother, Nikel Thomas, Acted as the lookup man. Apparently, he lived close to the airport and was able to see when the police helicopter would take off and land. Caine eventually provided evidence on Connor who had initially been arrested but maintained his innocence until January of last year when he was charged for being involved in the crime.

Elmer Wright has already been convicted in the case and was sent overseas to the UK to serve his sentence.

The mostly female jurors also heard that they would be presented with phone evidence including what's up messages between Connor and already convicted defendants. Some of the messages talked about the sales or proceeds of the stolen items and how they “run this town”. They were also said to be expressing loyalty to each other in those messages whilst attempting to cut out another one of their co-conspirators.

Connor had informed the police that he had been at home in East End the entire night but the prosecution alleges that cell tower information indicates otherwise.

During the first day of testimony, the court heard from both victims who were now residing overseas via video link.

Connor is charged with six offenses including:

Count 1: Attempted burglary
count 2: possession of imitation firearm
Count 3: Damage to property $11,000 for the first attempted break-in
Count 4: Theft – Honda Civic
Count 5 & 6: Amity Street – Aggravated burglary

The case continues for three weeks before visiting Justice Dale Palmer. Connor is represented by UK attorney Paul Keleher QC who is instructed by Caymanian attorney Kathleen Ryan.