Mechanic freed in attempted toy gun robbery

A NINE-MEMBER jury yesterday found a Chaguanas mechanic not guilty of attempting to rob a mini-mart owner with a toy pistol. Marlon Phillip aka Melvin Phillip and “Smallboy” appeared in the Port-of-Spain Third Criminal Court before Justice Alice Yorke Soo-Hon charged with using an imitation firearm with intent to rob Ramdassie Balkaran at Main Road, Longdeville, Chaguanas, on November 27, 1998. After the verdict was given, Phillip told reporters he intended to sue the State for damages for being incarcerated for three years. Phillip also intends to sue for compensation for false arrest since he claims the police wrongfully identified him as the perpetrator of the crime.

The court heard that Phillip, 24, of Tobago Road, Lendore Village, Chaguanas, allegedly entered M & K Mini-Mart armed with a toy gun and attempted to rob Balkaran. Balkaran made a report to the Chaguanas Police Station and later that day she was called to the Chaguanas CID where she saw the accused and his twin brother. She said she knew Phillip by his rasta hairstyle, while his brother had a shorter haircut. However, in his defence Phillip said the police arrested both him and his twin-brother, Melvin, and took them to the Chaguanas CID. He said they were not placed on an ID parade. He said when Balkaran came to the station she had initially pointed out his brother as the man who tried to rob her then changed her mind after her employee told her his brother was the wrong man.

Phillip said she then told the police that it was he who attempted to rob her. Phillip’s brother also gave evidence stating that he had gone to the victim’s mini-mart on the day of the incident and asked that she pay him money owed to him for painting her house. He said after Balkaran refused, he argued with her and left. Attorney Dinanath Ramkissoon appeared on behalf of the State while attorney Ulric Skerritt represented Phillip. Justice Yorke Soon-Hon discharged Phillip after the jury deliberated for 20 minutes and returned with a not guilty verdict.