Child testifies at murder inquiry

A child who reportedly witnessed the shooting of her mother and her mother’s boyfriend, yesterday gave evidence against the man charged with the murder. The 11-year-old daughter of Brenda De Silva, of Murray Street in Morvant, was yesterday led in evidence by State attorney Candia James and cross-examined by defence attorney Wayne Sturge.

The mother, who had given evidence-in-chief on April 13, was also cross-examined by Sturge. The 29-year-old mother of three and the deceased, 30-year-old Maurice Phillip, were shot at their then Kavy Crescent, Pioneer Drive, Petit Valley home on July 28, 2003. Both were seriously wounded and Phillip later died at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. DeSilva’s former common-law husband, 31-year-old Samuel Roberts of Cocorite, was charged with the murder. The charge was laid by Cpl Stephen Rivas of the Maraval CID, who was then attached to the West End Police Station.