I did not have a firearm but threw stones, says murder accused

The testimony of a man accused of murdering a bystander during a heated argument with an alleged rival gang member was torn apart by the state on Thursday in the Port Elizabeth High Court.

Granwill Bailey, 24, claimed he did not have a firearm on him on January 5 2020 when Mirlene Wilson, 26, was killed but he did have an altercation with another man.

He claimed to have thrown stones at the man in retaliation for the argument.

Bailey claimed that on the morning of the incident he had left his home in Prinsloo Street, Arcadia, to buy cigarettes at a nearby shop.

While there he argued with the man, who later became a state witness.

It is alleged that Wilson, a cashier at Broadway Superstore, was caught in the crossfire when Bailey opened fire on three people in Human Street, Arcadia.

Wilson died at the scene when she was shot in the head.

The three people who were Bailey’s alleged targets had previously testified in the case but cannot be named for their protection.

While the reason for the argument remains unclear, Bailey said that he picked up a stone and threw it at the witness who ran away shouting “you going to see today, you going to die”.

A few minutes later the witness, along with his mother and sister, returned and more stones were thrown.

Bailey claimed he then heard a gunshot and ran away but claimed he saw the shooter who he identified only as Ian.

Asked by state advocate Liesel Landman why he did not report the matter to the police, Bailey said on his way home he heard he was being named as the shooter.

He decided to go home and wait for the police to fetch him.

Landman said she found it odd that only after the police showed up at his house three days later did he mention the shooting incident to them.

Bailey has pleaded not guilty to murder, three counts of attempted murder and one count each for the possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Closing arguments are expected to be heard on Friday.

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