Man freed of killing girl, 13

A LAVENTILLE man who was charged with killing a 13-year-old girl was freed of the charge yesterday. Nassau Charles walked out of the court a free man some 30 minutes later. He had been in custody for the last eight months. Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls, presiding in the Port-of-Spain Eighth Magistrates’ Court, upheld a no-case submission from Charles’ attorney Keith Scotland. Charles, 22, of Hamlet Street, St Barb’s, Laventille, was charged with the murder of Joanna Walker and the attempted murder of Adeola Graham on July 14, 2003, at Mentor Alley, Laventille.

He was also charged with two counts of possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, and possession of ammunition to endanger life. He was charged by Cpl Steve Sookdeo of the Besson Street CID. At the close of the prosecution’s case, Scotland submitted that his client had no case to answer. He said the prosecution had not proven its case. Scotland said none of the witnesses had identified Charles as the man who shot the girl.

Counsel said the witnesses knew Charles, but he was not seen on the night of the shootings. In the circumstances, Scotland asked that the case be stopped and that his client be acquitted. State attorney Jennifer Martin conceded. Several witnesses gave evidence at the preliminary inquiry including the relatives of the dead girl. The court heard that around 8 pm on July 14, 2003, Joanna Walker was outside her parents’ home when several explosions were heard. On investigating, Joanna was found lying on the steps. She was not moving, she had been shot.