Murder suspect’s parents removed from court

HALF WAY through the evidence given by a State witness in a murder inquiry at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Eighth Court, the parents of the man charged with the murder were yesterday ordered to leave the courtroom by Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls.

The two, who had ignored Acting Insp Kenneth Cordner’s customary declaration for all other witnesses to leave the courtroom before the witness scheduled to give evidence took the stand, sat on one of the front benches until McNicolls pointed at the woman and asked if she was the mother of the accused, Joel Marquis. She confirmed this and was told to wait outside because she “may be a potential witness.” Marquis’ father then identified himself and he too was told to wait outside.

When Marquis’ attorney Pamela Elder SC arrived shortly after 10 am, she enquired of McNicolls the reason for her client’s parents being asked to wait outside. Following the Magistrate’s response, Elder proceeded to apologise for her late arrival. She said her tardiness was not out of “disrespect” for McNicolls and explained that she had been informed that the matter was scheduled to be heard at 10 am. The enquiry had started at 9 am. Two witnesses, PC Darryl Jodha and Cpl Steve Sookdeo, both attached to the Port-of-Spain CID, gave evidence. Elder, who had arrived during Sookdeo’s testimony, reserved her cross-examination of the Corporal and indicated that she wanted the opportunity to cross-examine Jodha.  She had not yet arrived when Jodha had given evidence.

Marquis was charged with the August 2 murder of Wayne Cassius Allum, of Loutie Trace, Penal.  Allum, 28, was found slumped over the steering wheel of his car at Walcott Lane in Belmont, with a single gunshot wound to the right side of his head. He later died at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. The charge was laid by Cpl Gary Edwards of the Belmont Police Station.