Security guard to stand trial for baby’s murder

A 25-year-old security guard was yesterday committed to stand trial for the murder of 11-month-old Tyrese Brown, who died last December 4. Senior Magistrate Indra Ramoo-Haynes, sitting at the Tunapuna Magistrate’s Court, committed Hakim Sergeant to stand trial after she found that the State had made out a prima facie case against him. The former Imjin guard, of Petit Valley, was arrested on December 9 by officers of the St Joseph Criminal Investi-gations Department (CID) after which Sgt Don Lezama charged him with the toddler’s murder. Sergeant first appeared in court on December 13. The preliminary inquiry began on April 4, during which time, 10 prosecution witnesses, including pathologist Dr Hughvon des Vignes gave evidence.

State attorney Shoba Jamorna and police prosecutor Sgt Pasqual prosecuted, while Senior Counsel Rangee Dolsingh represented the accused man. Baby Tyrese’s mother, Alicia Brown, of East Street, St Joseph, went to the St Joseph’s Boys’ RC School on the night of November 28, reportedly to meet a man, after which the toddler was taken for a walk. About one hour later Tyrese was brought back, and subsequently developed breathing problems and also had what appeared to be bruises on his chest, head and back.  The child was warded at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Mount Hope Medical Sciences Complex but later died on December 4. A post mortem performed by des Vignes revealed that the toddler died from extensive fractures of the skull.  Sergeant was later charged following directions by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Geoffrey Henderson.