Man in court on charge of attempted murder

One day after surrendering to police in the company of a priest and relatives, 39-year-old Princes Town labourer Horace Jackson appeared before a Princes Town magistrate yesterday charged with attempting to murder his common-law wife Tricia St John. Jackson was denied bail by Magistrate Jai Narine after court prosecutor Cpl Zamsheed Mohammed objected to bail on the grounds that the victim reported receiving threats after she was attacked.

Jackson was charged by Cpl Baldath Chankasingh with attempting to murder St John, 29, of Prizgar Lands in Laventille on April 2 at Third Avenue, Gajadhar Lands, Princes Town. The charge was laid indictably and Jackson was not called on to plead. St John, a mother of three, was chopped repeatedly and lost her right arm and two fingers on her left hand after the attack. She remains warded at hospital. Jackson stood silent and stone-faced in court yesterday as the charge was read out. The complainant informed the prosecutor that threats were made to St John after the incident.

Cpl Mohammed relayed this information to Magistrate Narine who asked Jackson, “Is it true what they are saying?” Jackson shook his head vigorously and denied making any threats. Cpl Mohammed also reminded the court that the victim and security guard were still warded at San Fernando General Hospital where she remains weak as a result of the attack.  Narine advised Jackson of his right to apply to a Judge in Chambers for bail and adjourned the matter to May 10.  On Wednesday, Jackson surrendered to Princes Town police accompanied by Anglican Parish Priest Fr Primus and Jackson’s brother and sister. Yesterday, a sister of the defendant was present in court.