Judge: Charge main suspect or free him

If he is not charged by then, the Sea Lots man must be immediately released from custody.

Justice Nadia Kangaloo gave this order yesterday after hearing a habeas corpus application filed by lawyers representing the 36-year-old Sea Lots man who is challenging his detention since Friday last. Ag Superintendent Suzette Martin, who is leading the investigation, told Justice Kangaloo the police need three more days to complete their investigation.

She also said they were awaiting the result of Joseph’s autopsy, which was performed at the Forensic Science Centre in St James, yesterday. Martin said investigators still have to interview three persons of interest detained after Joseph’s body was discovered in the waters of the Gulf of Paria, close to the mouth of the Caroni River.

Joseph, mother of a four-yearold girl, went missing on Thursday.

The suspect was brought to court yesterday by several police officers and sat silently during the proceeding. Justice Kangaloo said she accepted that the police required additional time but expressed concern that the suspect was being held at the Homicide Investigation Bureau’s office at Riverside Plaza in Port-of-Spain.

The man’s lawyer, Criston J Williams said housing his client at the office was improper as there are no holding cells at this location.

Ag Supt Martin said it was the suspect who asked to be held at this office. “I am not at all satisfied with him being able to choose to remain there. It is not for an accused to determine the place of detention but for the police to do the right thing,” Justice Kangaloo said.

After discussions with lawyers for both sides, Justice Kangaloo said the suspect could remain at the Homicide office. Also appearing for the suspect are attorneys Shirvani Ramkisson and Kirby Joseph. Kangaloo has ordered that the police return to court next Monday to provide an update.