Man on trial for shooting cop

A MORUGA man went on trial yesterday in the San Fernando High Court for shooting a policeman in the Marac forest.  The charge against Clyde Huggins for shooting Police Constable Michael Morris, is one of six charges he faces before Justice Rajendra Narine in the Third Criminal Court.

Huggins is accused of three counts of shooting at police officers, possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition.  In outlining the prosecution’s case to the nine-member jury, State attorney Brambhanan Dubay said on February 16, 2001, PC Morris was on a drug eradication exercise with other policemen at the Marac forest when they observed Huggins tending to marijuana plants. Dubay said sometime after the accused noticed the policemen hiding in the bushes, he pulled out a revolver and fired shots in their direction. Another man, Dubay told the court, came out from under a tarpaulin and also shot at the policemen. The lawmen returned fire and in the exchange of gunfire, PC Morris was shot in his right knee. The prosecutor said the accused and the other man escaped through the bushes, and warrants were subsequently issued for their arrest.  The injured policeman was airlifted out of the forest, and taken for treatment at hospital. Five days after the incident, Sgt Maynard arrested and charged the accused. The case continues today.