Morvant man to stand trial for double murder

A 22-year-old man was yesterday committed to stand trial for murder after a Port-of-Spain magistrate found that a prima facie case had been made out against him. Keron Lopez of Caledonia, Morvant, was on trial before Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls for the double murder of Kerwin Cyrus of Couva and Kerwin Hinds of Diego Martin. Both men were shot dead on July 28, 2004, at Sawmill Avenue, Barataria.

The court heard evidence from several witnesses, including the evidence of the State’s main witness, Sean Quamina, who testified that he was with the deceased persons when the incident occurred. Representing the State in the matter was attorney Aden Stroude, while the accused was represented by attorney Patrick Godson-Phillips.

During the proceedings yesterday, Godson-Phillips made a no-case submission on his clients behalf saying: “The State’s case left much to be desired.” He said the evidence coming forward from the State’s witnesses was extremely inconsistent. In his application, however, Stroude told the court that the weakness of the State’s case was a matter to be decided by a jury in the High Court.

After the submissions, Mc Nicolls ruled there was sufficient evidence before the court to commit the accused to stand trial for the murders.
Already committed to stand trial at the next sitting of the Assizes for the same double murder is Garvin “Beam” Sookram, who was committed a few months ago. The arrests were made by Insp Ancil Coa of the Morvant Police Station.