Man tells magistrate: Jail unsafe

A San Juan man charged with possession of a firearm, on Friday informed Port-of-Spain Magistrate Melvin Daniel that he is unsafe in jail and needs the gun to protect himself when in public. Shawn Samuel, 22, of Mohammed Trace, El Socorro was arrested outside his house by PC Mohammed of the Barataria Police Station on Wednesday. Samuel allegedly had in his possession a home made shot-gun and one round of ammunition. While the Magistrate was reading the charge, Samuel said, “Well Sir what I really had the gun for was protection.” Samuel, who was not represented by an attorney, was then scolded by Daniel for interrupting him. When the magistrate adjourned the matter to June 16, Samuel dropped his head and walked off, but was called back from the prisoners’ holding bay to complete what he was attempting to say. “What I was saying is that right now my life at risk because I’m a witness in a murder and right now, those men after me, and some of them in the jail now,” mumbled Samuel with his head down. He added, “Sir, it is best you give me bail.” Daniel told the man that he would take into consideration what he said when the matter came up on Monday.