Nearly two decades later...‘Fearful’ witness testifies in Monica Reece inquest

Nearly two decades later…‘Fearful’ witness testifies in Monica Reece inquest

Jun 30, 2012 News

The inquest into the April 9, 1993 death of security guard Monica Reece continued yesterday before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Four witnesses, including a police inspector, gave evidence before a three-person jury regarding statements they gave during the year of 1993 when Reece’s death occurred.
For safety of the witnesses their names have been withheld. The first witness gave evidence based on what he did during the period leading up to the death of the woman. He gave his information based on the evidence he provided in 1993.
The other defendant was described as a “pimp” who in his prime presented protection for prostitutes. The man stated his background and how he came to know the deceased. His evidence however showed that he had no immediate contact with the deceased but had known her since he was employed at the same place with at least three members of Reece’s family.
He described the deceased as an outgoing party girl who he knew by the name ‘Nikki’.
That witness however had information to add to the previous evidence he provided in 1993. The man stated that he is now giving the evidence because back then he was fearful for his life and he to some extent did not trust the police who took his statement.
The man said that on the night of Reece’s death, he saw her on Church Street despite telling investigators in 1993 that after a certain occasion he never saw the woman again. The man said that he saw when the then 19-year-old Reece had boarded a black 4×4 pickup and leave Church Street. He said the vehicle passed him and he saw the silhouette of at least four persons inside.
The man had to be given some time to compose himself after he began to weep. He said while at another location in the same vicinity, a man who persons referred to as a “junkie” told him that he had seen a woman dumped out of a vehicle.
He said at the time he did not know it was the same girl but he later found out after reading the newspapers the next day.
He alleged that he was fearful because of how the police had acted while taking statements. He was then interrupted and the Magistrate related that she had been hearing statements to that effect from other persons who had taken the stand in the matter.
He further alleged that the ‘junkie’ was with another individual and that they had both seen what happened. He however said certain things had happened to those persons and he was not taking any chances.
The man however concluded his evidence and a policeman then took the stand.
After that, another witness was presented. He related that he came forward after being informed about the inquest. His evidence will however be taken on the next occasion.
The matter will be called again on Wednesday.
Reece, a security guard, was allegedly dumped from a pickup onto Main Street on Good Friday night of April 9, 1993.
No one was ever charged.
Since Reece’s death, three Commissioners have retired, some of the police investigators have retired, and forensic pathologist Dr. Leslie Mootoo, who conducted the autopsy and also the exhumation for DNA evidence, has passed away.

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Nearly two decades later…‘Fearful’ witness testifies in Monica Reece inquest

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