TWO TRINIS IN COURT FOR TOBAGO MURDER

Two Trinidadians appeared in the Scarborough Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with the murder of a Tobago youth and the attempted murder of a Sangre Grande man at an apartment building in Scarborough on Easter Sunday. Mark Blake, 27, of Sangre Grande, and Miguel Cato, 18, of Eastern Main Road, Laventille, appeared before Senior Magistrate Annette Mckenzie in the First Court on a charge of murdering 20-year-old Larry Renwrick Phillips of Moriah, Tobago. The accused are also charged with attempting to murder Darion Picton, 21, of Sangre Grande.

Charges in the matter were laid by detective Sgt Vincel Edwards of the Scarborough CID. Phillips’ blood-soaked body was reportedly found in the bathroom of a rented apartment at Glen Road, Scarborough, around 7.30 am on March 27. An autopsy revealed that the victim died from a single stab to the heart. Phillips was also reportedly stabbed once in the back. Picton, who was reportedly stabbed once in the back, was also found in the apartment. Picton was rushed to the Scarborough Hospital. He was reported to be in a stable condition.

The accused were not called on to plead as the charges were laid indictably. Blake was dressed in a grey and black long-sleeved jersey and faded blue jeans, while Cato sported a white T-shirt and blue jeans. The suspects were not represented and Blake made a formal application for the services of an attorney through the legal aid system. When asked about legal representation on his behalf, Cato replied that he would follow the other accused with respect to the application for legal aid. Blake and Cato were remanded in custody. They are to reappear in court on April 14.