Accused to know fate by month end

JUSTICE Anthony Carmona said yesterday he intends to deal with the re-sentencing of convicted killer Leroy Andrews by the end of this month. When the matter came up in the Port-of-Spain Fifth Criminal Court yesterday, attorneys representing Andrews and the State indicated they were ready to proceed. Skeletal submissions were filed by both sides according to the judge, the issue of manslaughter was raised in the arguments. However, Justice Carmona said this was an issue relating to a conviction of murder. Andrews was 16 years old when he committed the murder. He was found guilty of murder and ordered to be detained at the President’s Pleasure, but that was found to be unlawful. He should have been ordered to be detained at the Court’s Pleasure. As a result, Andrews has to be re-sentenced.

Andrews was represented by Mark Seepersad and Gerald Ramdeen, while attorney Kathy-Ann Waterman-Latchoo appeared for the State. Ramdeen said he intended to call witnesses at the hearing, but in light of the probation officer’s report, he may not do so again. While Justice Carmona was in the process of hearing a rape case, he indicated that he wants to conclude the re-sentencing case by the end of this month. Hearing was adjourned to tomorrow. Andrews, now 29, was arrested on June 5, 1991 for the murder of Marion Narinesingh at Lopinot. He was found guilty before Justice Lennox Deyalsingh in the Port-of-Spain First Criminal Court on June 29, 1993 and ordered to be detained at the President’s Pleasure. Andrews was detained at the Youth Training Centre until he turned 21. Thereafter, he was taken to the Carrera Island Prison where he spent one year. He was then transferred to the Maximum Security Prison at Arouca where he is now incarcerated.

Andrews, in an affidavit, said when he was arrested in 1991, he never got the opportunity to finish his schooling to the point of CXC level. However, while in prison, he completed several academic courses — Maths, Social Studies, Princi-ples of Accounts, and English. He said prior to his incarceration he lived with his mother, younger brother and sister. Yesterday, both his mother and father were in court. Andrews contends that during his 13 years behind bars, he never had any disciplinary problems. He said there was one incident where he was slapped in the face by an officer for having his shirt out of his pants. However, this matter was resolved by the Superintendent of Prisons. Andrews is anxious to have his sentence reviewed by the court. Before his original sentence was quashed, Andrews learnt that other prisoners, similarly circumstanced, were subjected to reviews.

Andrews said he was not examined or interviewed by a psychologist, psychiatrist or any other health care professional so that the progress of his rehabilitation, maturity and welfare can be monitored in order to determine whether and when he might be released, or even considered suitable for release. “The possibility of me remaining incarcerated and eventually dying in prison for a crime I committed when I was at the tender age of 16 fills me with dread and fear,” Andrews added. Andrews continued, “I have expressed remorse and regret for the fact that my actions resulted in the loss of life of another human being. “These expressions have been and remain sincere. I am now 29 years of age and I have come to understand the ramifications of my actions and the consequences which have flowed from them. I still wish to be able to pursue the life goals that I had prior to my incarceration and to return to my family home where I have been guaranteed a place.”