Dane Gillett Stands Trial for Murder of 15-year-old SJC Student

The murder trial for twenty-seven-year-old Dane Khalil Gillett, accused of killing fifteen-year-old S.J.C. student Dwayne Darwin Gabourel, began on November twenty-seventh, before Justice Derick Sylvester in the High Court. Gabourel was shot on September twenty-seventh, 2021, while running an errand for his mother and died three days later. The prosecution, led by DPP Cheryl Lynn Vidal, has called thirty witnesses, with most statements read into evidence. The defense, represented by Orson “OJ” Elrington, plans to submit a no-case argument.  Justice Sylvester has requested written submissions from both sides, with deadlines set for December twelfth, 2024, for the defense and December twenty-third, 2024, for the prosecution. The trial will resume on January twenty-seventh, 2025, to hear these arguments.  The crown alleges that Gillett shot Gabourel due to a gang rivalry, although Gabourel was not involved in any gang activity. The case relies on circumstantial evidence, including video footage showing the shooter, whose face was covered, and a police officer’s testimony identifying Gillett by his tattoo, light skin, and slim build. Additional footage links the shooter to a motorcycle seen at the crime scene and a previous event. The court will decide on the no-case submission in January.