Alleged caution statement could be accepted or rejected
SHAWN Richardson, called “Jungle Commando”, has denied that he had made certain statements to the police relating to the kidnapping, demand for ransom, and the death of Vivikanand Nandalall. He claimed that he had been beaten by the police to obtain the statement which was not taken in accordance with the judge’s rules.
His counsel, Mrs. Clarissa Reihl, objected to leading prosecutor Mrs. Judith Gildharie-Mursalin putting the matter in evidence, resulting in Presiding Judge Madame Dawn Gregory holding a voir dire (a trial within a trial) to determine the issue of admissibility.
Several witnesses testified during the voir dire and submissions were made by the respective counsel.
Following the end of the voir dire yesterday, the judge declared that she would deliver her ruling at 10 o’ clock on Monday.
Evidence led at the substantive trial before the holding of the voir dire disclosed that following a report that Nandalall was missing, there was information that someone had called demanding a ransom of $1M. It is said that the money was paid, but the missing man never reappeared.
Later, what is believed to be his skeleton was found on the Bachelor’s Adventure sea shore. Samples of bones and a spent bullet from the skull were selected for analysis and DNA examinations.