Murdered man’s family gives evidence

THREE family members of two men who were gunned down on May 30 at Trou Macaque, Laventille, were the first witnesses to be called in the preliminary inquiry into the deaths of their loved ones on Tuesday. The inquiry was being heard at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Eighth Court before Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls.

The men, Kirt Rosal, 23, and Julien De Gannes, 24, were among a group of men who were allegedly gambling when gunmen opened fire on them. Rosal and De Gannes were shot and died on arrival at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. Rosal’s common-law wife, Nicole Charles, of Trou Macaque, Laventille, his stepfather, Earlin Brown and De Gannes’ brother, Bertram De Gannes, of Upper Haig Street, Carenage, gave evidence and were cross-examined by State attorney Taramatie Ramdass. The man charged with the murders, Elton Davis, was represented by attorney Patrick Godson- Phillips, who was holding on for attorney Joseph Melville. Davis, 23, of John Street, Pelican Road Extension, Morvant, was charged in July by Sgt Manickchan Ramnarine of the Port-of-Spain CID. The matter was adjourned to January 8, 2004.