Pregnant woman testifies at home

The convoy included Madame Justice Joan Charles, a 12-member panel of jurors, two alternates, State attorney Cheron Raphael, defence attorneys Oscar King and Andrew Cassimere, murder accused Roy Cox and other court personnel. They arrived at the home of Nadira Abdool Ragbir shortly after 10 am. Cox is charged with the May 23, 2003 murder of his girlfriend Dedrie-Ann Layne in the vicinity of Ragbir’s home.

Ragbir, who is in an advanced stage of pregnancy, had been placed on bed rest by her doctor. Since she was unable to attend court to give evidence, Madame Justice Charles agreed at the request of King, to take the court to Abdool’s home. Under a covered area annexed to the witness’ home, the court heard that around 6.45 pm on the fateful day, Ragbir was standing with her father in the garage, when she noticed a man and woman walking nearby. The man had his arms around the woman’s waist and he was pushing her to walk, Ragbir said.

The witness recalled the couple was speaking loudly, and she was disturbed by what they were saying. After the two had walked past her, Ragbir said she ran into her home and called her neighbour Joyce Vidal and then the police. When the police arrived, the witness said she showed them where Vidal lived.

One of the officers, PC Harridath Sookdeo, who visited the murder scene on the evening in question, gave evidence after the court convened at its usual location at the Hall of Justice.

According to Sookdeo, when he arrived at Farm Road in the company of other officers, he was directed to the top of a ditch at the back of a cow pen. He said he shone a flashlight into the ditch and saw the bodies of a male and female lying in muddy water.

Both were lying face down with their heads twisted to the left. The man, whom he later identified as Cox, had his arms around the woman’s waist, he said.

Sookdeo said the woman, who had an injury to her throat, appeared to be dead. Cox had a knife stuck in his throat but he was still breathing. Other officers spoke to Cox but got no response, the witness said.

Sookdeo said he heard someone shout “Ah” and he saw Cox remove the knife from his throat and lunge at him (Sookdeo) and another officer.

The accused was shot by the other officer, the witness said, and was later taken to the hospital for medical attention. Hearing resumes today back at the PoS High Court.