Cop accused of doing halfway job

THE INQUEST into the circumstances surrounding the November 20, 2002 death of teenager, Phillip Seerattan at the International School, Westmoorings, yesterday continued at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Eighth Court, with the evidence of Cpl Eugene Labadie attached to the Port-of-Spain Crime Scene and Technical Unit of CID and Criminal Records Office (CRO) being heard.

The matter is being presided over by Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls acting in the capacity of Coroner. Labadie told the court that on his arrival at the school on the day in question, he was given certain instructions by the Investigation Officer, ASP Badall. He said he then carried out a survey of the school compound with the assistance of other officers of the CRO. During this survey, he said, he found four spent shells in the vicinity of the guard booth west of the entrance of the school, three spent shells on a bookshelf in the classroom adjoining the computer room where Seerattan was allegedly shot, two spent shells on the floor behind the bookshelf and one lead missile lodged in an air condition dock in that same room. There was also a lead missile found on the floor of the school’s cafeteria. In the computer room, he found five spent shells strewn on the floor, as well as broken glass and fragments of metal objects, he said.  On the floor of the room, which he said was ransacked, he also saw a knapsack on a desk at the centre of the room and several bags on the floor.  

Labadie said after he encircled the areas where the shells and missile were found and photographed by the police photographer, he took the shells and placed them in separate brown paper bags based on where they were found and placed his markings on them. He said he also saw a red substance resembling blood on the driveway leading to the entrance of the school, in the computer room and in the cafeteria. He did not, however, take samples of the substance. He said he did not see the subjects of the inquest, WPC Suad Weekes and PC Gary Moore at the school on that day. When asked by the attorney seeking the interest of the Seerattan family, Patricia Roberts, if he had placed individual markings on the shells and missiles, Labadie said he did not. Roberts then accused the officer of doing a “halfway job” because if asked to, he could not now place each shell and missile exactly where he had found it. On several occasions during the proceedings, Labadie complained to McNicolls about the manner in which he was being questioned by Roberts but was instructed by the magistrate to answer the questions. At the end of her cross-examination, Roberts sarcastically told the witness, “Next time you go to a crime scene you will remember me and do your job properly,” to which Labadie replied, “I do not wish to remember you.” WPC Weekes and PC Moore were represented by attorney Martin George and Lydia Mendonca is seeking the interest of the school. Hearing will resume on Thursday.