Man freed of Carnival killing

“I’LL have to say a prayer.” These were the first words uttered by Nigel Waterman yesterday after a jury found him not guilty of the murder of 17-year-old Reynaldo McKenzie.

Waterman was accused of killing McKenzie at a public fete at Hart Street, Port-of-Spain, on February 15, 2001. After a three-hour deliberation, the 12-member jury delivered a not guilty verdict in favour of Waterman in the Port-of-Spain First Criminal Court. As Justice Rajendra Narine told Waterman he was free to go, Waterman whispered: “I’ll have to say a prayer.” As he was being led away by two uniformed police officers, Waterman’s relatives breathed a sigh of relief while McKenzie’s family were visibly shocked and upset by the verdict.

As they left the court, one of McKenzie’s female relatives collapsed to the floor, crying that justice had not been done. Another woman had to be restrained by other relatives as she wept openly and vowed vengeance against Waterman. However McKenzie’s mother, Suzette Romero, was emotionless as she left the court and walked out of the Hall of Justice. Another female relative repeatedly stated that “God is good” as she left. Minutes later, Waterman emerged from the Hall of Justice flanked by his attorney Wayne Sturge. “First of all, I want to give thanks to my lawyer and give praise to Jah,” he declared.

Waterman said his two years in prison had taught him a lot and there were a lot of youths in there who gave him hope that one day he would be free. He said he saw his acquittal as a second chance and he intends to make the most of it.  Sturge then treated Waterman to his first meal as a free man.