Cocorite man to stand trial for murder

A COCORITE man, charged with murdering the boyfriend of his former common-law wife, was yesterday committed to stand trial at the next sitting of the Assizes. Following the evidence of the last State witness, Brenda DeSilva, Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls ruled that a prima facie case had been made out against 31-year-old Samuel Roberts.

Roberts was charged with the July 28, 2003 murder of 30-year-old Maurice Phillip. Phillip and 29-year-old DeSilva were shot at their then Kavy Crescent, Pioneer Drive, Petit Valley home. Both were seriously wounded and Phillip later died at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. Roberts was charged by Cpl Stephen Rivas of the Maraval CID, who was then attached to the West End Police Station. DeSilva, a mother of three, now resides at Murray Road in Morvant. Roberts was represented by attorney Wayne Sturge while State attorney Candia James prosecuted.