New twist in Joseph Melville trial

Co-accused Hilton Winchester provided the Joseph Melville attempted murder trial a new twist yesterday when he suggested that Patricia Cox was the girlfriend of Ainsley Alleyne. Alleyne was one of the men who the court heard was hired by Cox’s boss, attorney Melville, to kill Cox. Winchester, a “PH” driver, denied that he had voluntarily given a statement to Sgt Dennis Julian. He also suggested that Justice of the Peace Mottley De Peza was a liar, in that De Peza never asked him whether he had given the statement voluntarily, among other things. Winchester denied telling Julian most of the things in the statement, except that he was “flagged” down  by Alleyne, whom he also knew as “Beatle,” and offered a “wuk.”

Melville and Winchester are before Justice Melville Baird charged with the attempted murder of Cox, Melville’s secretary, conspiracy to murder her, kidnapping and assaulting her on June 28, 2001, at Cumberland Hill, Fort George, St James. Alleyne, 26, who was one of the men allegedly hired to kill Cox, turned State witness, testified at the preliminary inquiry but died late last year. Jason Holder, who is also charged with the others, is not before the court because he cannot be found. Winchester admitted signing the ten-page document, but denied initialing it at the various points where there were scratches. He said that he never told Insp Narcis Cadette that he wanted to give a statement and that while Julian was asking him questions, Cadette was poking him with a pick-axe handle and Julian was also writing. Being led by his attorney Thomas Cunningham, Winchester explained that Julian handed him several sheets of paper with writing and told him to sign them at spots marked with an “x”. He told the Port-of-Spain First Criminal Court jury that when Alleyne “flagged” him down, Alleyne told him he was going to meet his girlfriend.

He said he drove Alleyne to Port-of-Spain and parked by TTEC on Park Street and waited for Alleyne to return. He said Alleyne returned to the vehicle with his girlfriend and sat in the back seat. He said he was instructed to go to Fort George. In response to his attorney Thomas Cunningham, Winchester pointed out Cox, who was seated in the court, as Alleyne’s girlfriend. When hearing resumes today, Winchester will be cross-examined by senior prosecutor Trevor Ward. Melville closed his defence yesterday after calling two witnesses. The first was Registrar General Susan Francois. As soon as she stated her name and job position, Ward made a formal objection. This resulted in a supplemental voir dir, and Francois did not testify any further before the jury.

Melville’s attorneys Nathaniel King and Ken Sagar called another witness, Jacimo Brewester, who claimed that he was not at Melville’s house on the morning of June 24 as Cox had stated, seeing him there with Holder. Brewester, 23, of Ballantine Road in Diego Martin explained that Melville was his lawyer, hired by his mother to represent him in some 24 criminal  matters. He said he knew Melville since age 15, but never regularly visited Melville at his office and had never gone to his home. He also stated that he did not know any Jason Holder or was with any Jason Holder at the home of Melville. Under cross-examination by Ward, who is assisted by prosecutor George Busby, Brewester denied that he was only testifying to return a favour to Melville who had represented him in court for some eight years. Hearing continues today.