Accused tries to hang himself

Yesterday, Kwasie Ford and an 18-year-old youth appeared before Clerk of the Peace, Amichan Sookram, charged with killing Bocas.

The charge of murder was laid against Ford, 21, of Lower Hillside, and Nicholas Habib, of Chacon Street, San Fernando, as a result of a robbery at Cover Girl Restaurant and Bar on Carib Street, San Fernando, in which Bocas was shot dead. Habib was also charged with six other offences for possession of arms and ammunition and assault.

Police had arrested five suspects last Thursday in connection with the incident, but three were subsequently released.

On Tuesday, Habib and Ford were detained in a cell at the San Fernando CID and according to a police report, at about 2.30 pm, Ford took off his T-shirt and tied it to an iron bar in the cell. The report stated that Ford then attempted to hang himself. Other prisoners, the report stated, raised an alarm and police officers rushed to the cell.

Ford was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital where he was kept overnight for observation.

Sgt Anthony Charles of the San Fernando CID laid the charges against the two accused.

Yesterday, a handcuffed Habib kicked and spat at photographers as he was being escorted by police officers to the cell block at the courthouse for his appearance before a magistrate.

However, Habib and Ford appeared before Sookram who read the murder charge to both of them. Sookram also read six additional charges against Habib for possession of a firearm; possession of ammunition; possession of firearm to endanger life; possession of ammunition to endanger life; wounding Brian Davis and assaulting Nigel Cowan with intent to rob.

Sookram remanded both accused into custody to appear before a magistrate today.