Attorney calls for disclosure — inquest adjourned to Dec 7

An uncomfortable and tense mood swept across the Port-of-Spain Magistrate’s Court yesterday as  relatives and friends of a Morvant woman gunned down seven months ago, filed into the court to  hear the details of the inquest into her shooting death. Donned in a black suit and dark shades, Sean “Bill” Francis, former boyfriend of deceased Galene Bonadie,  escorted their two children, Nikesha Bonadie, 22 and Corey Bonadie 18, to the Port-of-Spain court-house. Bonadie died instantly when she was shot at point blank range on April 2, 2004. It is alleged that four police officers were involved in the incident which lead to Bonadie’s death. The incident, occurred at Vegas in Morvant.

It was 9 am when the matter was called  yesterday by Magistrate Andrew Shroude in the City’s Fourth court. Standing before the magistrate were four police officers attached to the Port-of-Spain Task Force. The officers are said to be involved in the ongoing investigation of the circumstances surrounding Bonadie’s death.  The officers are Imraz Hosein, Brian Phillips, Sherwin Sinnette and Dale Makoon-singh. Representing each of the officers are attorneys Israel Khan SC, Ulric Skerritt and Debra James while attorney Ravi Rajkoomar is seeking the interest of the Bonadie family. Attorney Skerritt wasted no time in indicating to Shroude that there were certain documents he needed disclosed in order to pursue the case in the best possible manner.

However Shroude, with a bit of confusion, noted to the attorney that it was not proper procedure for attorneys to demand the disclosure of legal documents at an inquest. Skerritt responded “ I will bring a case law then, where it shows that disclosure was in fact granted at an inquest.” The matter was then adjourned to December 7. As relatives and friends made their way out of the courthouse, the tension escalated as Bonadie supporters jeered at the officers who opted to stay back in the precincts of the court. “What all yuh hiding for? What all yuh fraid? Let the camera see all yuh! Is justice at last!” an irate relative exclaimed.