(CMR) The trial of Bryan Welcome, who has been charged with the murder of his former business partner Omar Ryan, will resume on Tuesday, 18 June, with 11 jurors after one juror reportedly died following an accident last Sunday.
The trial had taken a two-week break to accommodate a juror who had to travel; however, when it was to resume last Tuesday, Justice Marlene Carter told the other members of the jury that a fellow juror had an unfortunate accident on Sunday and passed away.
Justice Carter asked the other jury members if they could continue under the circumstances, and they responded that they were willing to do so. After discussion with counsel, the trial was set to resume this Tuesday after the public holiday.
Welcome, the owner of People’s Choice Grocery, was charged with murder after he ran over Ryan with his car last year.
The two men reportedly had an informal business arrangement in which Ryan would get goods from Welcome and pay him after selling the items.
The two got into a dispute after Ryan claimed some goods were spoiled before they could be sold. As a result, a debt of $350 was reduced to $50; however, Ryan still did not pay the outstanding amount.
On 8 July 2023, the two men ran into each other at Shedden Road Plaza and argued. During this, Ryan blocked Welcome's car with his car. Ryan eventually removed his car but followed Welcome to a warehouse complex in the industrial park area.
CCTV footage showed Welcome pulling into the parking lot in his black Audi A3 and Ryan following behind in a white Honda Stepwgn. Both vehicles stopped in the middle of the parking lot, and Ryan exited his vehicle and began shouting and making gestures toward Welcome’s vehicle.
Welcome then reverses his car and positions it directly in line with Ryan. Just before he strikes Ryan, Welcome's vehicle can be heard revving loudly, followed by a high-pitched screeching of tires.
After striking Ryan, Welcome continued to drive, dragging him under the vehicle. He then ran over him before moving out of the camera’s line of site.
Welcome returned to the scene on foot, shouting at Ryan before kicking Ryan in the head as he continued cursing about the money he was owed.
Bystanders attempted to resuscitate Ryan, who was transported to the Cayman Islands Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short while later.
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