Coroner: Get Craigwell’s son here for Christmas

TREVOR CRAIGWELL is coming from Connecticut at the end of January to give evidence in the Akiel Chambers inquest. But the Coroner has asked that Craigwell’s 13-year-old son Anthony be brought to Trinidad during the Christmas vacation to testify.

Craigwell’s attorney Fulton Wilson told Coroner Sherman McNicolls yesterday that his client will not be able to come to Trinidad in mid-January, as was stated in his letter dated November 26 which was sent to the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court. Craigwell and his 13-year-old son Anthony, both of whom attended the birthday party at the home of businessman Charles James on May 23, 1998 at Haleland Park, Maraval, when Akiel disappeared, now live in Connecticut, United States. McNicolls asked attorney Wilson: “Why can’t your client come before?” Wilson said Craigwell has some personal matters to attend to. “He needs to put his house in order, but he will be coming to give evidence,” Wilson assured. McNicolls had adjourned the inquest on November 18 to give the State three weeks in which to locate Craigwell and his son. The Coroner said he was reluctant to close the inquest without the testimony of the Craigwells.

Yesterday, Wilson said he received a telephone call from Craigwell on November 24 who stated that the inquest had started and that his name and that of his son were being called. Wilson said his client wants to give evidence. “As far as I know, no one has requested my client to give evidence,” Wilson stated. But McNicolls pointed out that summonses were issued for the Craigwells, but they could not be located. Wilson then informed the court that he was contacted by Craigwell on Monday who said he was now willing to come at the end of January, but Anthony could not because it would disrupt his classes at school. Counsel asked that the inquest be adjourned to the first week in February to accommodate his client. Court prosecutor Sgt Kenneth Cordner said he was concerned that it was possible that Craigwell could further delay his arrival in Trinidad. “What assurances are there that Mr Craigwell will come to give evidence?” Cordner asked. McNicolls responded, “He has an option — he can come voluntarily, or the State can force his attendance through the Central Authority. He has counsel who has given an undertaking. We have waited for a while, and I don’t dare believe there will be any serious prejudice if we wait a bit longer.”

The Coroner suggested that Anthony Craigwell be brought to Trinidad during the Christmas vacation to give evidence. He asked Wilson to make the necessary arrangements with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to provide airline ticket and accommodation for the schoolboy so he can testify during the vacation so his schooling will not be disrupted. Wilson promised to do so. Brent Ali, who was holding for Desmond Allum SC, said he had no objection to Anthony Craigwell giving evidence during the Christmas vacation. McNicolls then adjourned hearing to December 29. During yesterday’s hearing, Wilson expressed concern at the “leak” of his “confidential letter” which appeared in Newsday on November 29 headlined “Craigwell coming to testify.” Wilson said he was contacted by Craigwell on November 24 and two days later submitted a letter to the court with copies sent to the DPP, Desmond Allum SC and Donna Prowell. Wilson said he was quite concerned that the confidential letter could have gotten into the hands of the media. “I am not condemning the publisher or the writer of the article, they were only doing their jobs.” McNicolls asked Wilson if he needed an inquiry to be conducted to determine how the letter reached Newsday. Wilson said no, he just wanted a note to be recorded of his concerns. Newsday had reported exclusively on November 29 of the existence of Wilson’s letter and the fact that Craigwell was coming to Trinidad to give evidence. Akiel Chambers, 11, disappeared during a party at the James’ residence on May 23, 1998. His body was discovered in the same pool the following day despite searches made the night before.