Accused denies killing woman

MURDER accused Murray Joseph Forde yesterday told the jury trying him for murder that he did not kill Annette Sawh, a mother of three, on Carnival Monday three years ago. Forde, a 42-year-old labourer of Rio Claro, is on trial before Justice Prakash Moosai in the San Fernando First Assize, for stabbing Annette Sawh on February 21, 2002. The State’s case, led by Assistant Director of  Public Prosecutions (South) Joan Honore-Paul, alleged that Forde stabbed Sawh to death between February 10 and 13, 2002 — Carnival Monday and Ash Wednesday, with a sharpened spoon.

Sawh, a 38-year-old domestic worker of Tableland, disappeared on J’ouvert morning 2002. She was last seen walking along the Naparima Mayaro Road in Tableland, in the direction of her employer’s house at San Pedro Village. Her body was found on Ash Wednesday 2002, bearing multiple stab wounds. Continuing with his evidence yesterday, Forde said he saw a man by the name of Sheldon stab Sawh. “I see Sheldon and the woman walking down the road.

Then I see Sheldon snatch the woman and two of them went down in the bush. I then cross the road and I see Sheldon stabbing up the woman,” Forde told the jury. He denied that he confessed to police that “I really kill the woman.” The accused also denied that he requested that police officers go to Nohar Road in Tableland, where he said he had allegedly killed her. Forde said, “The first time I remember being in that road is with Sgt Singh on February 21, 2002.” Forde will be cross-examined by Paul when hearing contines today.