POLICE LOST EVIDENCE

Crucial evidence was “misplaced” by police officers investigating a kidnapping charge, according to a police officer testifying yesterday in the Port-of-Spain Third Criminal Court. PC Natasha Narcis was giving evidence in the trial of Jairam Rampersad who is charged with the kidnapping of Melinda Lennard on September 24, 1999. Lennard, after the alleged kidnapping, went to the Chaguanas Health Centre and was examined by Dr. Indarjit Birjah in the presence of PC Narcis. Lennard, in her testimony, said that Rampersad had forced her to drink a liquid that made her dizzy and drousy. Narcis, who recently had joined the police service, was attached to the Chaguanas Police Station at the time of the incident. She was given Lennard’s blood sample and placed it in the refrigerator of the Chaguanas Police Station. In response to State prosecutor Nalini Singh, Narcis said she was awaiting instructions from her superiors on how to proceed with the  blood sample. She said that she never received any instructions and that she did not know that the blood sample had to be taken to the Forensic lab. In cross-examination by defense attorney Larry Williams, Narcis revealed that she went to check on the sample two weeks later and “it had disappeared.” She added, “I believe the sample had been misplaced.”

Also giving evidence was Corporal Harricharan Cassie of the Chaguanas Police Station. Cassie claimed that on the night of he incident , he told PC Narcis to take the blood sample to the Forensics Department.  Cassie also denied being given a swab and a sample of Rampersad’s blood by Dr. Birjah. Cassie said that he did certain interviews in connection with this incident. He said that these interviews were recorded in his pocket diary which was lost during a police chase. Lennard’s mother Sharda Durgasingh also testified yesterday. She admitted to having a quarrel with Rampersad on January 13 1999. Durgasingh said on that day, Rampersad “kicked and cuffed her.” The trial continues today before Justice Malcolm Holdip.