‘Coconut hustle’ ends in killing

NEIL HERNANDEZ, of Guaymau Village, Cumana is before Justice Malcolm Holdip in the Port-of-Spain Assizes charged with the murder of Christine Henry and her six-year-old son, Phillip. The two were brutally chopped on Tompire Beach, Cumana on May 2, 2000.  Phillip died on the beach and his mother died at hospital four days later. Outlining the facts of the case, prosecutor Alexander Prince told the court that around 5 am on the day in question, Julien Des Vignes, who lived with the accused at the time, saw him with a cutlass in a case around his waist. The accused said he was going to “hustle coconuts.” The jury heard that later around 10 am, Christine and her three children, all of Morlado Trace, Cumana, left to go to the beach.

Her common-law husband Everton “Breddo” Williams, a caretaker at a nearby estate, also left for work. Approximately 30 minutes later, Williams was given some disturbing news and when he ran to the beach he found Phillip lying on his back motionless, with chop wounds to his head. Christine lay some distance away with chop wounds to her neck, hand and behind her ear. She was taken to the Cumana Health Centre and later to the Sangre Grande Hospital, where she died on May 6.  Phillip’s body was removed to the Sangre Grande Mortuary. Hernandez was arrested and taken to the Toco police station, where he gave a statement on May 4.  He was charged with the double murder on May 8 by Cpl Wight. Christine’s sister Gloria Henry, nephew Kervin Moonsammy and Phillip’s father Chandrabally Seetahal gave evidence yesterday. Hernandez is being represented by attorney St Clair Douglas. Hearing resumes today.