Defence attorney abdicates

ATTORNEY Mario Merritt yesterday abdicated his defence of the man charged with the January 7 murder of Rene Paul, because he had once been retained as legal counsel for the deceased. The attorney told Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls that “based on documents disclosed by the prosecution, I realised that I once represented the deceased.” As a result, Merritt sought and was granted permission by McNicolls to be relieved from defending the accused. Merritt had been appointed by legal aid to represent the accused, Sherwin Griffith. 

When Griffith was called into the prisoner’s dock, McNicolls informed him of the situation and assured him that another attorney would be assigned to his case. In all fairness to Griffith, the magistrate said, he was forced to adjourn the matter and State attorney, Nigel Pilgrim was in full agreement. An April 1 adjournment date was set in order to allow the court enough time to assign a replacement for Merritt. Griffith, 30, of Buller Trace, Pashley Street, Laventille was charged by Inspector John Martinez, formerly of the Besson Street CID. It is alleged that on the day in question, five shots were fired into the front windshield of Paul’s car, hitting him in the hand and chest. The former Death Row inmate reportedly got out of the car and attempted to run but stumbled and died instantly after receiving several more shots.