A statement given by a dancer before her death has been admitted as evidence in the ongoing Klansman gang trial, providing chilling details about the murder of St Andrew massage parlour operator Noah Smith.
The statement, made by Shaniece Roberts, who later died in 2021, was accepted into evidence on Monday after extensive legal arguments between prosecutors and defence attorneys.
According to the statement, Smith was killed during a robbery at his Yarico Place home on February 7, 2020. Roberts told investigators that she was at the premises with Smith and another woman when several masked men entered pretending to be customers.
She alleged that the intruders ordered everyone to the floor, tied up occupants, and demanded money from Smith while searching the house for valuables. The attackers reportedly stole cash and other items before one of them allegedly declared that Smith had to be killed.
Smith was then fatally shot.
Four men — Michael Wildman, Jerome Spike, Nashuan Guest and Geovaughni McDonald — are facing charges related to the murder and robbery.
The statement was admitted by trial judge Justice Dale Palmer following a dispute over which sections should be removed before being presented in court.
The high-profile gang trial remains ongoing.
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