Man not guilty of shooting at cops

PORT-OF-SPAIN upholsterer Odai Callendar was yesterday freed by a jury in the San Fernando High Court on four charges, including shooting at two policemen.

The nine-member mixed jury deliberated for an hour before returning a not-guilty verdict against Callendar, 28, of East Dry River, on charges of shooting with intent at two police officers, possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition. Callendar was on trial before Justice Alice Yorke Soo Hon in Second Criminal Assizes. The accused, represented by Mewhalal Chatoor, said after he surrendered to police they took him to an empty lot and shot him in his knee, and later charged him with the four offences. The State’s case, led by prosecutor Joan Honore Paul, was that on April 24, 2000, Callendar was at St Ann’s Road, in Mayaro, when he shot at Police Constables Edmund Sanoir and Wayne Charles. The two police officers testified that when the accused shot at them, they returned fire and Callendar was shot in his leg.