As Agricola murder PI begins… : Arrest warrants issued for absent Prosecution witnesses

THE preliminary inquiry (PI) into charge against the policemen accused of murdering Agricola youth Shaquille Grant commenced before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday. Police Inspector Stephen Telford is prosecuting the case in which Corporal Terrence Wallace, Corporal Warren Blue and Special Constable Jamal Lewis are charged but arrest warrants are still out for the accused Blue and Lewis.
First to give evidence was grandmother of the deceased, Francis Grant and she was followed by the grandfather, Gordon Grey.
Police Sergeant Phillip Bowman also testified about witnessing the post- mortem on Grant, taking statements from Wallace and a medical report on Romel Bollers, who was injured during the shooting incident at Agricola, Greater Georgetown.
The prosecutor requested that the court admit the post-mortem report, the statements of Wallace and the medical report on Bollers but Defence Counsel Hukumchand objected to the last being admitted.
The lawyer argued that Bollers has nothing to do with Wallace who is not charged for wounding him.
The prosecutor maintained that the document can be admissible as the prosecution is required to submit all available evidence.
Hukumchand insisted that only things that are relevant to Grant should be tendered but the magistrate overruled the lawyer’s objection, stating that it was premature at this time.

Accepted
The post- mortem report, statements of Wallace and the medical report of Bollers were all accepted by the court.
Hukumchand declined to cross-examine the grandmother and grandfather of the victim but requested another day, December 4, for the cross-examination of Bowman.
However, the magistrate informed the lawyer that she had already set aside valuable judicial time to deal with the case and it will be continuing for the entire week.
The Chief Magistrate pointed out that the witnesses can be bound over for cross-examination.
The prosecutor informed the court that the prosecution intends to call 18 witnesses and requested arrest warrants for those absent, since they were all warned to attend.
The application was granted and the warrants were issued for Travis David, Romel Bollers, Amanda Paddy and Troy Greenidge.
Wallace was further remanded to prison and the PI will continue today.

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