INSPECTOR Ramesh Singh, officer-in-charge of the police patrol, who ordered Quancy John (now murder accused) to arrest Kelvin Fraser (now deceased), yesterday told Justice Franklyn Holder and a mixed jury that the arrest in June 2010 was justified.

The Inspector was allowed to give his evidence from a chair in the well of the court because he has a fractured leg.
He said that on the day in question, he and a party of policemen, including the accused, Quancy John, were detailed to visit the Patentia Secondary School where there was an unrest caused by young men allegedly smoking marijuana and interfering with female teachers, according to a report received from Head Teacher, Mrs. Gloria Gobin.
The prosecution led by Miss Diana Kaulesar has set out to lead evidence to support her contention that the shooting that caused the death of Kelvin Fraser was deliberate.
But under cross-examination by defence counsel, Mr. Glenn Hanoman, the witness was asked if a policeman who is armed with a gun and an attempt is made to disarm him, whether that gives him the right to shoot.
The witness after deliberating for some time replied that it would depend on the circumstances, then added, “Yes.”
The prosecutrix is saying that up to now, there was no evidence that the deceased had attempted to disarm anyone.
The prosecution had objected to the defence lawyer putting certain questions to the witness, using him as an expert and forgetting that the deceased was only 16 years at the time of the incident.
At this stage, defence counsel asked the witness, ”Do you agree that a 16-year-old young man who takes away a gun from a policeman could be just as dangerous as an adult who takes away a gun from a policeman? However, the witness did not answer.
Defence counsel next asked the witness, “Do you know of young boys shooting big guns? Witness: “No Sir.”
Counsel to witness “Where are you living?”
In answer to further questions under cross-examination witness denied that the firearm issued to the accused that day was defective and declared, “I would not issue a defective firearm to any rank.”
Witness added, “I gave orders to the accused to effect arrest when I was at Patentia Secondary. I feel justified in giving this order in relation to reports that I had received.”
The hearing is continuing.

(By George Barclay)