Court hears accused’s story

A PORT-OF-SPAIN jury yesterday heard that one of two men on trial for attempted murder turned himself in when he found out there were warrants for his arrest. State witness PC Wayne Baptiste told the court he was on duty at the St Joseph Police Station on April 27, 2001, when accused Ryan Chan walked into the charge room at around 11.30 am. The officer said he approached Chan, whom he had known for approximately four years, and informed him that there were three warrants out for his arrest and cautioned him.

Some time later, Baptiste said, he went to the Acono Road Maracas/St Joseph home of the other accused, Michael Mahase, arrested him and took him to the police station. Chan and Mahase are before Madame Justice Soo Hon at the Port-of-Spain Second Criminal Court jointly charged with attempting to murder Joseph Noriega and wounding him with intent. In outlining the State’s case yesterday, prosecutor Candia James told the jury that on April 7, 2001, Noriega was outside of Felix Bar in Maracas/St Joseph, when he was confronted by Chan and Mahase.

Chan, the prosecutor said, pulled out a gun, handed it to Mahase and instructed him to shoot Noriega. Noriega ran and was shot in the back and waist. He was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital for medical treatment. Chan is being represented by attorney Evans Welch and Mahase by attorney Ulric Skerritt.  Prosecutor Cheron Raphael appears with James for the State. When hearing resumes today, Noriega is expected to give evidence.