Convicted killer Ade Blackman testifies Jason Layne paid $20,000 hit on brother

Convicted murderer Ade Blackman told a Barbados jury he was paid $20,000 to kill Anthony Layne on June 4, 2020, implicating the victim's brother Jason Ricardo Layne.

Murder-for-hire: Blackman details $20,000 plot against Anthony Layne in Supreme Court testimony

Convicted murderer Ade Blackman took the witness stand on Friday and told a 12-member jury that Jason Ricardo Layne agreed to pay him $20,000 to kill his own brother — and that Layne personally chose where and when the killing would take place. Barbados Today reports that Blackman, testifying as a State's witness under a plea bargain arrangement, spent three hours recounting how the conspiracy unfolded.

The No. 3 Supreme Court dock stood empty as Blackman gave evidence in Jason Layne's ongoing murder trial. Two other men — Oshea Greenidge and Shawn Crookendale — have already pleaded guilty to murder in connection with the killing of Anthony Layne on June 4, 2020.

How the plot was arranged

Blackman told the court that Greenidge first approached him at his River Land home early in 2020, saying a friend was in conflict with his brother and wanted the man killed. Blackman initially quoted a price of $30,000.

"He asked me how much I would take and I said $30 000. He tell me he don't know if de man can handle that. He feel he could handle $20 000. He also told me that Anthony Layne was responsible for my brother's murder," Blackman testified.

Shortly afterwards, Greenidge drove Blackman to a cart lane in St Patrick's, where Jason Layne arrived in a white truck. According to Blackman, Layne confirmed the arrangement on the spot and agreed to pay half up front and the remainder once the job was done — the first time Blackman said he had met the accused.

Layne's stated motive

Acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Krystal Delaney, leading a prosecution team that includes acting Senior State Counsel Anastacia McMeo-Boyce and State Counsel Kwame Ramsay, asked Blackman whether Layne had explained his reasons.

Blackman recalled: "A day he come by me and told me that he want he brother kill because [Anthony] does go by he mudda and disrespect she all the time. He does got people of ill-repute bout he mudda place, sell weed behind he mudda house and make three attempts to burn down she shop and de water off and he would not move out from out of the house."

Layne also told Blackman that his brother Anthony — known as "Bubba" — was paranoid and heavily protected at night by armed associates, which is why he favoured a daytime attack: "He don't want that I go for he and miss he. He want the job done."

The day of the killing

On June 4, 2020, Blackman left home carrying a bag with a change of clothes and a Glock .357 containing nine rounds of ammunition, which he said he had found in the cellar of his late brother's home. He got into a car with Greenidge, changed into a long-sleeved grey shirt, reflective jacket and long trousers, and met up with Crookendale.

The group had previously scouted the area around Leadvale and Walronds together with Layne, identifying drop-off points, an escape route through a bushy area, and a location where Crookendale could wait. Layne was to call Greenidge once Anthony left home, triggering the operation.

Blackman described his approach: "I walked the road with a white shirt over my head Taliban-style. While I was there I acted like I was cutting grass. Anthony Layne drove down and reversed and parked near a container and rolled down the window looking at me suspicious. I waved at him. He did not wave back at me and rolled back up his car window. When he did this, I ran to the car and fired through the car window."

Arrest at the scene

After shooting Anthony Layne, Blackman was picked up by Crookendale and taken to the bushy area in Walronds, where he discarded the clothing, licence plates and firearm. While waiting to be collected by Greenidge, he spotted masked men running towards him and was shot in the right buttock as he tried to flee. The men turned out to be police officers.

He was treated at hospital before being taken to Oistins Police Station, where he confessed and led officers to the location where he had hidden the gun and clothing.

Plea bargain terms

Blackman acknowledged in court that his testimony on behalf of the State came with a tangible benefit: a two-year reduction in his sentence. The trial continues before the 12-member jury.

Source: Barbados Today