Attorney to challenge Coroner’s ruling

ATTORNEY Martin George intends to file an application for a judicial review of a decision taken by Coroner Sherman McNicolls. After months of hearing the evidence of the witnesses at the inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Phillip Seerattan, McNicolls yesterday ruled that warrants be issued for the arrest of PC Gary Moore and WPC Suad Weekes for the unlawful killing of Seerattan. Seerattan had been fatally shot during an exchange of gunfire with the officers at the International School, Westmoorings on November 20, 2002. “While we have not lost faith in the system of the administration of justice in Trinidad and Tobago,” George said, “we are convinced that the magistrate’s ruling is one which cannot stand up to scrutiny or review and, in this regard, we intend to pursue our clients’ rights to the fullest so that justice can be served in the matter.” 

In addition, George said he had already spoken with Insp Christopher Holder of the Police Service Association regarding the issuance of guidelines for police officers to follow when faced with life and death situations, similar to that which Moore and Weekes had found themselves in. His immediate concern, however, he said, was for the psychological and physical well-being of his clients, especially Weekes, who is in the second trimester of her pregnancy. While refusing to comment on the Coroner’s decision, Holder told Newsday that the two officers had the full support of the association. “From our side it was a straight case of self defence,” he said. Despite McNicolls’ ruling, Holder urged police officers to continue to be diligent and confident but not hesitant in the execution of their duties in preserving lives: their own and that of others.

Shortly after the Coroner’s ruling, Weekes’ mother, Elva, was summoned to the St Vincent Street courthouse. She embraced her emotional daughter and reassured her that “everything would be all right.” In full support of the action taken by her daughter on the day in question, outspoken mother of five told the Newsday that if Weekes had not defended herself on the fateful day, she (Elva), like Seerattan’s mother “would have been a grieving mother then and now.”