THE preliminary inquiry (PI) into the charges against five men accused of carrying out the 2009 terrorist acts in Georgetown began yesterday before Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. In the dock were Colin Jones, his brother Jahfar Simpson and Randy Mars, Basil Morgan and Anthony Watson, who were charged individually, with the attempted murder of Police Constable Rajendra Singh, had those charges withdrawn and substituted by a joint charge.
The charge of setting fire to a public building was also withdrawn and a joint charge instituted against the quintet.
Police Inspector Stephen Telford, prosecuting, said there are 14 witnesses in the attempted murder case and he called Constables Singh and Europe as the first two witnesses.
They were cross-examined by defence counsel George Thomas and Tanya Warren and the proceedings wee adjourned to April 4.
One joint allegation against the accused is that, between November 3 and November 4, 2009, with the intent to murder, they discharged a loaded firearm at Singh.
The PI into the charge of setting fire to the High Court will start on June 1.