Murder accused says he is innocent

MURDER accused Neil Hernandez yesterday admitted under cross-examination that he was sometimes called “Red Man” by the husband of the woman he allegedly murdered. Hernandez is before Justice Malcolm Holdip in the Port-of-Spain Fourth Criminal Court charged with the murders of Christine Henry and her six-year-old son Phillip. Hernandez, the only witness called by the defence, said Christine’s common-law-husband Everton “Breddo” Williams sometimes referred to him as “Red Man.” However, Hernandez maintained he had nothing to do with the murders. One State witness had testified that a dying Christine had named “Red Man who used to work with Breddo” as the man who had brutally chopped her and her son on Tompire Beach, Cumana on the morning of May 2, 2000. Phillip died instantly, while his mother died four days later at the Sangre Grande Hospital. Following his evidence the defence closed its case and attorney St Clair Douglas proceeded to address the jury. The State is represented by attorney Alexander Prince. Attorney Dawn Mohan appears with Douglas for Hernandez.