Coroner says shooting death was an accident

CHIEF MAGISTRATE Sherman Mc Nicholls has ruled as an accident the death of a 31-year-old fisherman who was shot dead by a police corporal in a bar in Moruga two years ago.
Mc Nicholls gave the ruling at the Princes Town Magistrates’ Court at the end of a coroner’s inquest into the death of Michael Anthony, a father of two, of La Lune Village, Moruga. In giving his decision, the Chief Magistrate said Anthony’s death was accidental, caused by a bullet. He said there was no evidence to suggest that an arrestable offence was committed.
During the inquest, 22 witnesses gave evidence. The coroner heard that around 8.30 pm on September 10, 2000, Corporal Zenus Williams, who was attached to the Tableland Police Station, along with a colleague went to Little Palace Restaurant and Bar at Torib Tabaquite Road, where he met the deceased.
At the time, Williams was armed with a self loading rifle and a revolver. Mc Nicholls heard that the policeman walked up to Anthony who was sitting and his weapon went off, discharging a single shot which struck Anthony on the left side of his neck and exited through his right nostril.
Williams was suspended from police force following the incident and an investigation was launched. ASP Gopiechan Ganga spearheaded investigations and submitted a file to then Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mark Mohammed who ordered an inquest into the killing.
Mc Nicholls gave his decision after hearing lengthy legal submissions from Faraz Mohammed who appeared on behalf of the family of the deceased and Subhas Panday who represented Cpl Williams.