Witness recalled over criminal record

Ainsley Le Tren, a witness in the Joseph Melville attempted murder trial, was recalled to the witness stand yesterday to be further cross-examined, after it was discovered that he has a criminal record.

Le Tren admitted that he was a drug addict who stole to maintain the habit. But since his last conviction in 1997, Le Tren exultantly announced that he has not been in trouble with the law and has been cured of the drug habit.

Senior State prosecutor Trevor Ward explained to Justice Melville Baird that the State was making an application to recall Le Tren, because the defence wanted to further cross-examine him. Defence Attorney Nathaniel King questioned Le Tren about whether he had any previous convictions. Le Trend admitted having six convictions for larceny, attempted office break-in, possession of house-breaking implements, possession of a weapon, store and house break-ins.

Le Tren admitted these convictions and the penalties which were fines and jail terms. He said he pleaded guilty to all the offences. He explained that at the time he was using drugs and he needed money to support the habit, so he did dishonest things.

Attorney Melville and taxi driver Hilton Winchester, are before the Port-of-Spain First Criminal Court, charged with the attempted murder of Cox, conspiracy to murder her, kidnapping and assaulting her occasioning a wound, on June 28, 2001 at Cumberland Hill, St James.
Jason Holder is also charged but is not before the court because he cannot be found. Cox was Melville’s legal secretary.  Le Tren testified last week that he had interrupted Holder while Holder was strangling Cox. As a result of his action, Cox was able to escape.
Le Tren’s testimony was that he had seen Holder strangling Cox and called out. Holder abandoned his act and chased after Le Tren, who jumped on his motorcycle and drove away. He  reported his observations to the police.
Yesterday, King wanted to know why Le Tren did not subsequently tell the police that he had a criminal record. Le Tren’s answer was: “It never came to my head... nobody asked.”  And further, he did not see what his previous convictions had to do with his observations on Cumberland Hill.
King: “You are a dishonest person.”
Le Tren: “I was on drugs. I steal to support the drugs... I am not on drugs anymore.”  Le Tren said that he never tried to hide the fact that he had a criminal record for dishonesty. He also said that his dishonesty then has not manifested itself in the evidence he gave in the court  (last week). Also testifying yesterday was retired police inspector Winston Griffith, who conducted an identification parade with the accused. His conduct of the parade was challenged as being improper.
King and Ken Sagar are defending Melville, while Thomas Cunningham is for Winchester. Ward and George Busby are representing the State.
At the end of Le Tren’s testimony yesterday, both parties engaged in legal arguments which are expected to continue today.
The  jury was sent home and told to return next Thursday.