Attorney accuses cop of cover-up

THE ATTORNEY seeking the interests of the Seerattan family, Patricia Roberts, yesterday accused witness Sgt Stephen Ramsubhag of covering up for the two police officers who were involved in the November 20, 2002 shooting of teenager Phillip Seerattan at the International School in Westmoorings. During her cross-examination, Roberts expressed concern about the fact that PC Gary Moore had removed an exhibit from the scene of the shooting before the arrival of the investigating officer. She accused Ramsubhag of jumping “in the shoes of ASP Badal” and collecting exhibits to which Ramsubhag responded, “I was doing what was expected of the most senior officer on the scene and what was required of me as a professional.” Ramsubhag, who is attached to the Four Roads CID, was one of the two witnesses who gave evidence at the inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Phillip Seerattan.  Seerattan, 17 was fatally shot by police after he entered the school’s compound and shot a security guard.  The inquest is being heard at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Eighth Court with Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls presiding as Coroner. Ramsubhag told the court that on his arrival at the school on the day in question, he spoke to security officer, Anthony Ralph, who informed him that a gunman had shot another security guard and was holding a student hostage in the computer room. 

He said in the company of other officers and the teenager’s father, he proceeded up the stairs to the computer room and were met by Ag Cpl Babb of the West End Division Task Force, who was descending the steps. According to Ramsubhag, Babb informed them that the gunman had been injured and that “everything was under control.”  Ramsubhag said he then instructed the youth’s father to return downstairs to be interviewed by one of the police officers. Upon entering the computer room, he said, he saw Seerattan lying on the floor “gasping.”  He said he saw “a substance resembling blood” in the area around the youth but he could see no visible injuries because of the clothing worn by the teen was wearing. There were some spent shells around, he added.  He stooped and spoke to Seerattan, he said, but got no response.  He said the two officers involved, Moore and WPC Suad Weekes were still present in the room. Shortly after, he said, PC Moore handed him a clear plastic bag containing an object resembling a firearm and five cylindrical objects resembling ammunition and told him that the gunman had shot at them (Moore and Weekes)  and that they had returned fire, injuring the gunman in the process. After inquiring about medical attention for the gunman, he said, he instructed all those present in the room to leave and posted an officer in uniform at the door to guard it. 

He proceeded to the cafeteria, where he saw the injured security guard lying the floor nursing bleeding wounds to his mouth and pelvic area. After handing over the exhibit to ASP Badal of the West End Division, who had by then arrived on the scene, he spoke with the school’s principal, Barny Latham, and ensured that all the teachers and students were evacuated to another location. On the receptionist’s desk, he said, he observed a VAT 19 rum bottle containing a clear liquid, some of which was strewn across the desk along with a box of matches.  This, he said, he took possession of. He admitted to not interviewing Moore and Weekes about the occurrences of the said day but stated that his main objective then was “to secure the safety of all the students, teachers and people at the school.”  He denied allegations by Roberts that the investigation was “wish wash” and that “the police were trying to protect their own.” Cpl Hayden Hannays of the Four Roads Police Station also gave evidence. PC Moore and WPC Weekes are being represented by attorney Martin George, while attorney Lydia Mendonca is seeking the interest of the school. Hearing will resume on November 13.