John John murder accused walks free

A Laventille man accused of murder walked out of the Port-of-Spain Magistrate’s Court yesterday a free man after the main witness in the matter refused to testify. Freed of the capital offence was 27-year-old Sheldon “Crock” Scott of John John, Laventille, who was accused of shooting to death Kurt Sandy three years ago. Sandy, 28 also known as Ricardo Leonze, of Picton Road, Laventille was shot several times by his assailant moments after being discharged from the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, where he had been treated for a gunshot wound to the leg. Reports were that on the day in question, at about 12.30 pm, Sandy was walking along a narrow track in Picton, when he was shot in the back. He was then shot several times about his body and died on the spot. 

Following intense investigations, Scott was held on September 22 and charged by Cpl Peter Dennis of the Besson Street CID. The matter, which was being heard before  Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls in the City’s Eighth Court, heard the evidence of four witnesses, including that of the arresting officer and the main witness to the incident, Cherry Ann Williams. Reports indicate that Williams, prior to the trial, was Scott’s companion. When Williams took the witness stand yesterday, she denied ever giving the police any statement about the murder and said on the date in question she was at home with the accused. Under questioning from prosecutor Acting Inspector Kenneth Cordner, Williams told the court, “I don’t even know the reason why I was asked to come to court. Cpl Dennis called me and asked me to come to court and that is why I came.

I thought it had to do with another matter I had in the First Court. That matter also involved the accused and I was placed in a safe house, but I left there after a while. I walked out.” Following the evidence of the main witness, the prosecutor informed Magistrate Mc Nicolls there was insufficient evidence to have the accused answer the charge of murder. “Based on the evidence no prima facie case has been made out against the accused,” said prosecutor Cordner. Mc Nicolls then explained to Scott there was no case against him and he was free to go. On walking out of the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ court, Williams hugged Scott as she warmly greeted him. Scott and several of his supporters left in a waiting car.