Latest update December 4th, 2024 2:40 AM
‘Faulty’ deposition stalls High Court murder trial
A faulty deposition resulted in the postponement of the case in which Satnarine Jaikaran called Sato, and his nephews Neville and Randy Crawford are on trial for murder before the Georgetown Supreme Court.
The trio is facing a High Court Judge and jury for the murder of Maxwell Rendell Watson, who was reportedly chopped and beaten to death during “a family feud,” on January 29, 2010.
Yesterday, State Prosecutor Judith Mursalin Gildharie requested time for an inquest into the document, in light of evidence that it was flawed.
Satnarine Jaikaran called Sato, (centre) and his nephews Neville Crawford and Randy Crawford
Prosecutor Gilharie highlighted the fact that irrelevant evidence was found in the deposition; the testimony of an unrelated witness (Philbert Suchit) was included in the deposition.
She also explained that the investigation was needed to ascertain whether three police witnesses, Corporal Waverly Moore, Constable Shawn McPherson and Constable Carlson Rockcliffe, mentioned in the affidavit, had indeed testified during the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) in the Magistrates’ court.
Her request was granted by Justice Franklyn Holder, who ordered that the Supreme Court Registrar launch an investigation to determine whether the information is applicable to the document. The matter is rescheduled for March 24.
Before Justice Holder granted the adjournment yesterday a heated argument erupted between the prosecutor and the defense team represented by Attorneys –at- Law Jailall Kissoon, Sandil Kissoon and Satesh Kissoon.
While the defense did not oppose the request of the prosecutor, the two attorneys Jailall Kissoon and Sandil Kissoon, argued that negligence on the part of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has resulted in an encroachment of their clients fundamental rights. They applied for bail.
“The DPP chambers are asking for time to remedy a faulty deposition on which the indictment of a capital offence has been founded…My question is, is it fair that the trial should hindered because of the limitations of DPP due to negligence?” Jailall Kissoon queried.
He nonetheless agreed that the prosecution should be given the longest time possible to satisfy their curiosity in regards to evidence.
“But it is fair that the accused languish in the Georgetown Prison. It is not an easy place to be at time when you are hearing about baton and human organs being forced into the anal canal,”
Sandil Kissoon appealed for bail on the basis of the constitution.
Their bail application was met with objections by Prosecutor Gildharie, who noted that bail can only be granted under extraordinary circumstances.
“The accused are indicted for a capital offence, my main concern is that given the particular circumstances in which crime was committed there is likelihood for the witnesses to be tampered with if the accused are granted bail.”
Justice Holder subsequently ruled in favour of the prosecutor’s submission, denying the three accused persons bail.
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