Cop denies murder accused was forced to give statement

MURDER accused Junior “Heads” Phillip was not induced, forced or threatened to give a statement about the murder of Clint Huggins to the police, Superintendent Hidayett Dyo Mohammed said yesterday.

Mohammed said he knew this to be so because he had witnessed Phillip’s statement, which was dictated to Supt Stephen Quashie. Mohammed, who is now attached to San Fernando CID, denied suggestions by Phillip’s attorney Osbourne Charles SC, that he was not present when Phillip had given his statement. In response to further cross-examination by Charles, Mohammed said during the taking of the statement he did not hear Phillip asked for refreshment, nor was any offered. Mohammed also acknowledged that he did ask Phillip if he had anything to eat. He accepted, however, that at the time the statement was being recorded, between 5.45 pm to 8.30 pm,  meals are usually served.

Mohammed, who was testifying before a 12-member jury, continued his response to Charles’ questions by saying they did not take a break during the recording of the statement because Phillip did not appear to want  a break. Phillip, Arnold Huggins and Leslie Huggins, are before Justice Alice York Soo-Hon in the Port-of-Spain Third Criminal Court charged with the murder of Clint Huggins, the State’s key witness against Dole Chadee and his gang for murder. Clint was murdered on February 20, 1996. His partly burnt body was found in a car on the Uriah Butler Highway in Mt Hope. Attorney Wayne Rajbansie is lead prosecutor in the matter assisted by Natasha George. Homicide detective Sgt Moses was recalled for further cross-examination by Charles, who wanted to know if Moses had taken Phillip to police headquarters to discuss Phillip’s being a state witness. Moses’ answer yesterday was “no” but in his earlier testimony in the absence of the jury, he had said “ yes”. He explained that his answer “yes” was an error, and the other reason was because Phillip had certain information.

Derek Sanker, a scientific officer, who specialises in firearms, ammunition and tool marks, testified that he had submitted three certificates of analysis to the police. One certificate dealt with 19 pellets which he said were discharged from a shotgun, the second dealt with his examination of the burnt car in which Clint’s body was found. His examination of the car showed no bullet holes in the vehicle or ammunition inside. The third certificate dealt with four pieces of circular cardboard material which he said were once part of a 16 bore cartridge. Ian Stuart Brook, who is representing Arnold, asked to see Sanker’s documents regarding his findings. After studying the document for a while, he asked the Court for time to study the document in more detail. Sanker was asked to return on Monday to be cross-examined.