Suspect tricked into confession

HIGH COURT Judge Joan Charles yesterday directed a jury to return a not guilty verdict against San Juan resident Chris Campbell, after Campbell’s attorney FM Mario Merritt claimed that he was “tricked by the police into giving a confessional statement.” Merritt made this claim while presenting legal arguments to support his “no case submission” in the matter in which Campbell, 37, of Febeau Village, San Juan, appeared before Justice Charles in the Port-of-Spain Sixth Criminal Court, charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, larceny of a firearm and larceny of 13 rounds of ammunition. In the absence of the jury, Merritt told the court that his client had gone to the Port-of-Spain CID on other business when he was approached by Cpl Fournillier, who was then a police constable, and told that his assistance was needed in a matter. Merritt claimed, however, that the officer never informed Campbell that he was a suspect in the matter and that Campbell was tricked into giving a statement in the absence of a Justice of the Peace.

Merritt contended that his clients rights and privileges were breached and that since the statement was not given voluntarily, Campbell had no case to answer. Merritt also told the court that his client was not fed during his detention. Following Merritt’s submissions, Justice Charles ruled that the statement not be tendered into evidence. State attorney Angelica Teelucksingh then informed the court that she had no further evidence to present to the court causing Justice Charles to direct the jury to return the not guilty verdict in Campbell’s favour. The facts were that on October 2, 1996, the victim, who lives at St Clair and is the holder of a firearm users licence, parked his Mazda 626 sedan at Lady Chancellor Hill, St Clair at 5 pm with a briefcase containing a 9 mm Siga Sayer firearm and 13 rounds of 9 mm ammunition in it. He returned at around 5.30 pm to find that his vehicle, containing the suitcase with the gun and ammunition, was missing. He made a report to the St Clair Police Station.

On October 3, 1996, PC Black found the vehicle minus the tyres, rims and briefcase. The shell of the vehicle was towed to the Santa Cruz Police Station, where the owner identified it as belonging to him. On December 20, 1996, Cpl Fournillier met Campbell at the Port-of-Spain CID, where he (Campbell) allegedly made an oral confession that he was one of the people responsible for stealing the car. Campbell was taken to the St Clair Police Station where he allegedly gave a written statement in the presence of Acting Insp Gaye. Merritt pointed out to the court that the alleged statement was recorded in the absence of a JP.