Cops to stand trial for prisoner’s escape

TWO police officers with combined services of 42 years were yesterday committed to stand trial for the escape of prisoner Deochan Ramdhanie, which allegedly occurred on September 17, 1998 at the Princes Town Magistrates’ Court.

Sgt Conrad Farrel and PC Sheldon Callendar were both committed to stand trial at the next sitting of the San Fernando Assizes, after Magistrate Jai Naraine found that a prima facie case had been made out. The committal came in the Princes Town First Magistrates’ Court after the State’s last witness, Michael Ramlochan, was cross-examined yesterday by the two accused officers, since their attorney, Keith Beckles was not present. Ramlochan had turned State witness and had given his evidence-in-chief on October 24, 2002.  Two Amalgamated security officers also testified for the State.

After the cross-examination, Magistrate Naraine found on the evidence that a prima facie case had been made out. The two police officers were then granted their own bail in the sum of $25,000. The preliminary inquiry into the Ramdhanie escape began on October 4, 1999, and a total of eight prosecution witnesses, including the police complainant, Supt Errol Denoon, testified on behalf of the State. The two officers have been charged with a total of eight offences arising out of Ramdhanie’s alleged escape.

Callendar is charged with misbehaviour in public office, aiding and abetting the escape of Ramdhanie and attempting to pervert the course of public justice.  Farrel is charged with two counts of perverting the course of public justice on September 17 and 18, 1998, and misbehaviour in public office on September 18, 1998. They are jointly charged with misbehaviour in public office by allegedly agreeing to give false information on the escape, which allegedly occurred on September 17, 1998, at the Princes Town Magistrates’ Court. Ramdhanie was recaptured on October 6, 1998 in Venezuela, and is now serving a life sentence for drug trafficking.