Omar Collymore
By Racquel Porter
The panel of seven jurors in the murder trial of Omar Collymore and his three co-defendants for the murder of his wife, Simone, heard on Tuesday that the relationship with his in-laws got sour after he said he was going to watch the family crumble.
Mr. Collymore and his three co-defendants, Michael Adams, Dewayne Pink, and Shaquille Edwards, are being tried before the Home Circuit Court for the contract-style killings of Mrs. Campbell Collymore and her taxi driver Winston Watson.
The 32-year-old businesswoman and 36-year-old taxi operator were gunned down on Stanley Terrace in Red Hills, St. Andrew on January 2, 2018.
Mrs. Campbell Collymore's father, who took the stand about 2:42 p.m. Tuesday, told the Home Circuit Court that he and his wife were in New Mexico in September 2017, when their other daughter telephoned him relaying what Mr. Collymore had said.
When he returned home, Mr. Collymore was no longer living with the family.
He said in November, following a cruise overseas and a trip to China with her husband, Simone and the couple's two children moved out and joined her husband.
Mr. Campbell, who described his relationship with Mr. Collymore as the perfect father and son, said the family went to counselling on December 5, 2017, to address the issue.
He said during the counselling session, Mr. Collymore did not deny making the statement but when he was asked by the counsellor what he meant, he did not answer.
The father, who became emotional while recalling the day he was told that his daughter was shot, told the court the father-son relationship deteriorated after the counselling session.
But he said later in December, Mr. Collymore approached him on Luke Street in downtown Kingston saying, "Pops, I want to speak with you."
Mr. Campbell said he invited Mr. Collymore inside his office.
Noting that his wife was present, Mr. Campbell said he did not appreciate how Mr. Collymore began the conversation.
The businessman said he was expecting an apology from Mr. Collymore.
Recalling the afternoon his daughter was murdered, Mr. Campbell said he left his office about 3 o'clock.
While on his way home, Mr. Campbell said, he called Simone. But when he called an hour later her phone rang without an answer which was unusual.
About 5:41, he said he was inside his bedroom eating and watching television while speaking with his property manager.
After he hung up he said he noticed two missed calls from Mr. Collymore.
When he returned the call, his son-in-law asked him where he was.
Mr. Campbell said he told Mr. Collymore that he was at home.
It was at that point his son-in-law said, "You need to come down here fast."
He said he told Mr. Collymore, "Brethren, mi nuh know where you live."
He said Mr. Collymore did not say what had happened but he heard the news from another voice on the phone who identified himself as a police officer.
The father, who appeared grief stricken at this point in his testimony, clenched his fist and hit his palm repeatedly before wiping his face with a handkerchief.
After composing himself, Mr. Campbell said he called his wife who was downstairs.
Mr. Campbell's son accompanied him to Mr. Collymore's residence.
When he arrived he was told that his daughter was taken to Kingston Public Hospital but was later told that her body had been transported to Tranquillity Funeral Home.
He identified Simone's body on January 11, 2018.
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