Youth’s family forgives killer cop

A group of relatives and friends gathered under a tree on the court’s compound and lifted their hands in prayer as Pastor Wilma Kelly (Caton’s aunt) prayed for an end to crime. In her sermon, Pastor Kelly said the family had forgiven Tota-Maharaj, and had turned to God in their quest for justice.

The policeman, who allegedly shot Caton, 19, in his head on Friday May 6 at Egypt Village, Point Fortin, initially appeared in the Point Fortin Magistrates’ Court on May 13, where he was charged with attempted murder and subsequently granted $750,000 bail.

Angry relatives, led by Caton’s father, Mervyn, had stormed out of the courtroom and hurled insults at the policeman’s attorney, Prakash Ramadhar.

Within hours after Caton died at the San Fernando General Hospital last Thursday, Tota-Maharaj, 30, a father of one, was re-arrested. He was subsequently charged with murder.

Last Friday, Tota-Maharaj appeared before a San Fernando magistrate charged with murder. The matter was transferred to the Point Fortin Magistrates’ Court.

Yesterday, Tota-Maharaj, attached to the Inter-Agency Task Force, reappeared before senior Magistrate Herbert Charles in the Point Fortin First Magistrates’ Court.

Attorney Theodore Guerra SC told Charles he was given a fiat by DPP Geoffery Henderson to prosecute on behalf of the State.

Indicating that he was pleased that Guerra would be prosecuting the case, Tota-Maharaj’s attorney asked the magistrate for the matter to be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Guerra pointed out that the prosecution was ready, saying he was prepared to call three witnesses at the next court hearing.

Magistrate Charles granted Ramadhar’s request for a speedy trial, and adjourned the matter to June 7.