The killing of Sherman Monseque

Last week, the matter was called before Coroner Marcia Thompson in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court and all is set for the start of the hearing of witnesses on February 6, 2006.

Attorneys Ravi Rajcoomar and Clyde Weatherhead appeared on behalf of the Monseque family.

The killing of Monseque on October 13, 2004, sparked several protests from residents of the Point Cumana district who claimed that the teenager died during an unprovoked attack from members of the Western Division Task Force.

Several witnesses have given statements in the matter. One such person is Kirt Holder, who has been very vociferous from the moment his friend, Monseque, was killed.

Holder, 23, said that about 12.30 pm on October 13, 2004, he was at his home at Bain Street, Point Cumana when Monseque visited him.

They left minutes later to take a bath and surf in the sea.

On reaching the Caribbean Boat Yard, they stopped to speak to a man about building a boat.

The man said his head was too hot at the time, and they should get back in touch with him.

They then went to a bushy area where Monseque hid his surf board.

Holder said while Monseque was still in the bush, he heard several explosions like gunshots.

He became frightened and he heard someone say "nobody move, police."

Holder said he walked out of the area and saw a man in plainclothes with a gun in his hand.

He recognised the man as a police officer whom he had known before. The officer told Holder to put his hands on his head.

Holder said the policeman asked him for the guns and ammunition.

The officier asked him who ran away, but Holder said no one ran anywhere.

The policeman searched Holder, but found nothing. Holder said he was then hit with a gun butt at the side of his head.

Holder said the policeman then pointed the gun over his shoulder where Monseque was standing. Shots were fired. The policeman then kicked Holder in his belly, slapped his face, and backkicked his back and ordered him to lie on the ground.

The policeman put a female officer to watch over Holder while he went off in another direction. He returned sometime later and Holder was ordered to sit on a log.

Minutes later, more police officers arrived on the scene. Holder was handcuffed and taken to a police jeep where he was asked for the name of his partner.

After telling the officer some details, Holder was taken to the St James Police Station.

Holder was kept in handcuffs and left in a room.

He was then removed to the cells.

Sometime later, Holder was released after his mother came to the station.

He was ordered to give a statement to the police which he did while he was experiencing headaches from being cold and hungry.

Holder said he was then informed by his mother that Monseque was shot by the police.

It was not until three days later that Holder went to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital for treatment of his injuries.

On October 29, 2004, Holder said he took the police to the scene where he was held and where Monseque was shot.