Coroner anxious for testimony —— Waiting for Mr Craigwell

CORONER Sherman Mc Nicolls said yesterday that he will not close the Akiel Chambers Inquest until the court has had the opportunity to hear the testimony of Trevor Craigwell and his son Christopher who are reported to be living in Conneticut, in the United States.

Mc Nicolls believes the State is trying its best to locate the two witnesses and bring them back to give evidence. He adjourned the hearing of the inquest to December 9 in order to accommodate attempts by the State to locate the witnesses. Mc Nicolls is presiding over the inquest at the Port-of-Spain Eighth Magistrates’ Court to determine how 11-year-old Akiel Chambers died. Akiel, a student of Blackman’s Private School, Maraval, was discovered floating in the pool of businessman Charles James at 23 Balata Terrace, Haleland Park, Maraval, on May 24, 1998. Akiel had gone to a birthday party for James’ daughter Carrie the day before when he went missing. When the inquest resumed yesterday, the Coroner asked the investigator PC Clive Alvarez if any headway had been made in respect to the witnesses Trevor Craigwell and his son Christopher.

Alvarez told the court that he had made inquiries at the Immigration Department and found out that Craigwell was in Trinidad on two occasions this year. According to Alvarez, Craigwell left Trinidad for the last time on July 27, 2003. According to the investigator, Craigwell’s last known address was given as Saddle Road, Maraval. The Coroner responded, “I do not want to close this inquest until they testify.” Alvarez was supposed to have been the final witness to give evidence yesterday. But his testimony has been delayed until the Craigwells give evidence. Desmond Allum SC, who is spearheading the legal team looking after the interest of the Chambers’ family, said that under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, assistance can be obtained in locating Craigwell to come back to testify. He suggested that the investigating officer contact the Central Authority of the Ministry of the Attorney General in this regard. Alvarez told the court that further investigations were being conducted in an effort to locate the witnesses. The Coroner said he was satisfied that the State was making every effort in this matter. He said he was giving the authorities three weeks in which to locate the witnesses.

According to records obtained by Newsday, Craigwell was born in 1954 and lived at Nobbin Drive, Four Roads, Diego Martin. He was the owner of Cragie’s Fashions situated at Colsort Mall, Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain. His profession was listed as businessman and tailor designer. When he last applied for a TT passport in 1995, he was listed as single. The recommender for the renewal of his passport was fashion designer Claudia Pegus. After he left Diego Martin, he resided temporarily at Maraval. Four years ago, his business outlet ran into problems and was closed. By that time, his common-law wife and four children left to live in the United States. Craigwell left sometime after. But he has been involved in Trinidad Carnival, with Peter Minshall and Phase II Pan Groove. He comes to Trinidad on a regular basis. Assisting Allum are Dr Kenneth O’Brien, Donna Prowell, and Brent Ali, while Sgt Kenneth Cordner is the court prosecutor.