Four to stand trial for 2000 kidnapping

Four Chaguanas men were yesterday committed to stand trial in the Port-of-Spain High Court by Magistrate Melvin Daniel for the November 2000 kidnapping of Camini Frederick.

Anderson Bonapart, 23, Hararrat Road; Kevin Phillip, 28, of St Thomas Village; Marlon Phillip, 25, of Tobago Road, Montrose and Osu Williams, 24, of Walcott Lane, were jointly charged with the kidnapping which reportedly took place at Western Main Road, Chaguaramas. The charge was laid indictably on November 15, 2000 by PC Matthew Straker who was then attached to the Carenage CID. Frederick, daughter of a Chaguanas businessman, was released the day after the kidnapping when $50,000 of the $300,000 ransom demand was allegedly paid to the kidnappers.

During the course of the preliminary inquiry, all four accused, unrepresented by counsel, cross-examined the witnesses, including Frederick, who was repeatedly called upon to give evidence. The men indicated that they did not wish to call any witnesses to give evidence on their behalf. Yesterday, Magistrate Daniel reduced the $100,000 bail to $90,000 and ordered the men to report to the Chaguanas Police Station every Friday between the hours of 6 and 11 am. Daniel said he was satisfied that a prima facie case had been made against them and informed them that they will stand trial at the next sitting of the High Court. Marlon Phillip managed to secure the $90,000 bail, however, the others were unable to and remained in custody up to late yesterday evening.