Arson-accused Cordney Brian Gardiner, 29, of Munson Village asked investigating police officers if he would be famous and appear on television for “burning down” the straw market, according to court testimony.
The Sept. 4, 2001 fire gutted the Nassau Straw Market, also destroying or damaging several other Bay Street structures, including Vendue House, home of the Pompey Museum, Colony Place and Beaumont House.
On Monday, day three of the trial, Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Murray Evans testified that he was attached to the Quakoo Street Police Station on Sept. 5, 2001 and conducted inquiries into the suspected arson of the straw market the day before.
He said that in the presence of Officer Missick, he saw the accused and informed him that he was suspected of arson, sprinkling a substance believed to be gasoline just before the fire.
ASP Evans said the suspect was silent for a while and then agreed to speak to them after he was cautioned.
The witness said that when Gardiner inquired as to whether he would be famous or not, he told him that he was only interested in the cause of the fire.
He said he told them that he left home about 2 p.m. and walked to Nassau Street, then took a bus to the downtown straw market.
The accused said he had a plan and was equipped, the witness testified, as he “had bought some gas from Mosley’s Gas Station on Boyd Road not far from where I live.”
“I went inside the straw market and I talk to an elderly lady,” the witness read from Gardiner’s statement.
He walked away from her and returned sometime later, the statement continued. “I talk to the same woman with the T-shirt, I asked her how much for the T-shirt. I did not reason with her.”
The statement went on that Gardiner took out the gasoline that he purchased and sprinkled it on the floor, then ignited it with a lighter.
“The fire started quickly. I duck out of the way and ran to the side that was closer to the road. I told the woman get out of the way! This will burn down like Parliament burn down,” Gardiner reportedly confessed.
After the area was inflamed, the witness testified that Gardiner said he caught a bus to Montell Heights where he saw one Bobo Nicki, to whom he pointed out the smoke coming from downtown, and told him that “He brought judgment down on Bay Street.”
When later questioned, Gardiner said that he went to the aisle at the straw market that he “was thinking about,” with the intent to set it afire.
His reason, he said, was, “So black people individually could see the truth.”
He said that at one time he “use to work for the Ministry (of Tourism) on Fort Charlotte.”
He said that he did not have a particular dislike for tourism, “but, I don’t think any black nation should be depending on any other nation for economic or social development.”
The accused also said at the time that he meant “no disrespect,” the statement read.
ASP Evans said that the question-and-answer period took place between 5 p.m. and 6.45 p.m., and the interview was conducted between 7 p.m. and 7.50 p.m.
Both interviews, he said, were conducted in the “murder section” of the Central Detective Unit (CDU) and Gardiner was told that he could add, alter or correct anything that was recorded.
Under cross-examination, Evans denied a suggestion from defence lawyer Michael Hanna that his report on the case was recently prepared.
He said also that he did not question Gardiner concerning his reference to Parliament “burning down.”
He said that Gardiner did not appear to be fantasizing.
On Monday, the accused man, still dressed in the tattered-looking black shirt and faded blue pants, he wore last week, again refused to be seated or converse with his attorney, walking about in the prisoner’s dock, apparently mumbling to himself.
Before Evans left the stand, he nodded towards Gardiner, appearing to stifle a smile.
Dr. Darren Sean Donaldson, employed by the Ministry of Health, and attached to Her Majesty’s Prison said that he saw Gardiner on Sept. 10, 2001, where it was revealed to him that Gardiner was a psychiatric patient.
He said that Gardiner had no complaints and there were no physical markings on his body. He said that he assessed him as having a psychiatric disorder and placed him on medication. he later appeared normal, Dr. Donaldson said.
He said also that had not notes been revealed to him that Gardiner had a psychiatric condition, he would not have referred him to a psychiatrist.
Justice Ricardo Marques presides over the case while Gawaine Ward, assisted by Eurika Wilkinson, represents the Crown.
By Jimenita Swain, The Nassau Guardian
