‘Accused was hiding under a bed’

SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT Stephen Quashie yesterday testified that they found murder accused Nicholas John hiding under a bed at his Kelly Village, Caroni home when they arrived to execute a  warrant on him.

Quashie gave this evidence while testifying in the trial in which two men — Keino Lewis and Nicholas John — are charged with murdering school teacher Albida Lopez. Lopez was shot and killed around 12.45 am on June 8, 1997, while sitting in her husband’s car, which was parked along Lyndon Street, Curepe. A third person, Raymond Pierre, turned State’s witness and was granted immunity in exchange for his testimony in the trial. Quashie yesterday explained that around 5.15 am on June 18, 1997, a  team of officers arrived at John’s home. The house was surrounded and when they entered it, John was found hiding under a bed.  Cpl Ortaiz told John that they were conducting an investigation into Lopez’s murder and cautioned him, however, John denied any knowledge of the murder. He was arrested and taken to the St. Joseph Police Station. From there he was taken to the La Horquetta Police Station and then to the Arima Police Station where he made a confession.

State attorney Jerron Joseph asked if John had complained that he was asthmatic or appeared to be having an asthma attack. Quashie said no. Joseph also asked if John requested permission to take any medication, Quashie said no. Quashie also told the court that John appeared to be normal and was not wheezing at the time of his arrest. He also explained that John did not complain about being hungry. Under cross-examination by John’s attorney Oscar King, Quashie told the court that about 25 - 30 officers were on the premises, however he could not say how many were inside the house. He also said that he cannot recall which of the officers had actually arrested John, but he knew that Cpl Ortaiz had informed him that the investigation was being carried out. King then put to Quashie that John had complained that he was asthmatic, that one of the officers had told John “where you going you don’t need this,” after John had asked for his asthma medication and that John was handcuffed. However, Quashie denied all that was put to him.

King also enquired whether Quashie had made arrangements for John to have something to eat. Quashie explained that he did not do so. He also explained that it was difficult for him to make those arrangements while he was out on enquiries. He also stated his main focus was conducting the enquiries and noted that John was assisting them with this. King and Debra James are presenting John, while Selwyn Mohammed and Owen Hinds Jr are representing Lewis. The State is represented by Jerron Joseph and Alexander Prince. Hearing continues today before Justice Prakash Moosai in the Port-of-Spain Third Criminal Court.