Accused cleared of TB — trial continues

MURDER ACCUSED Kamal Pooran has been cleared of a tuberculosis condition. It was a bright-looking Pooran that turned up in the San Fernando High Court yesterday morning, allowing the day’s hearing to continue without a hitch. Justice Herbert Volney addressed Pooran’s defence attorney: “I am in receipt of a medical report on behalf of your client. I see no good reason why this trial should not continue”. Wearing a bandage on his left cheek, Pooran listened attentively from the witness box as trial judge Justice Volney began proceedings.

Newsday learnt that tests conducted at the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) where Pooran was warded last week, diagnosed him as having an abcess in his throat. On May 6, Pooran, 25, went on trial for the murder of Rio Claro taxi driver Surujbally “Billy” Mohan. Pooran, is jointly accused with Ramzan Asgarali, 22. Midway into the trial on May 15, Pooran complained of stomach illness and nausea, and on one occasion vomitted while sitting in the prisoner’s dock of the First Criminal Assizes. Justice Volney instructed that the prisoner be taken to the San Fernando General Hospital, where doctors suspected he was suffering from tuberculosis.

Yesterday, the trial resumed with Asgarali’s attorney, Chaitram Sinanan, cross-examining police Sargeant Clyde Philip on the witness stand. Sgt Philip maintained that Asgarali voluntarily gave police a statement. The senior police officer denied  that Asgarali was not allowed to read the statement which he signed, nor that a Justice of the Peace was present at the time. The case continues today.