No prisoners at Chaguanas court

GARTH MEJIAS, the police officer charged with committing the first murder for 2004, was a no-show at the Chaguanas Magistrates’ Court after prison officers failed to bring prisoners to court yesterday. The 37-year-old officer, with 16 years service, is charged with the January 1 murder of 27-year-old Atiba Johnson of Macoya Road in Tunapuna. Johnson’s body was found in a black garbage bag at the bottom of a hill on Saddle Road, Maraval by TTEC workers. When questioned about the absence of prisoners at the Chaguanas court yesterday, officers on duty told Newsday the prisoners’ absence came about because of ongoing industrial action being taken by prison officers.