Speedy trial for Abu Bakr

JUST two months after he was committed to stand trial, Jamaat-Al-Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu Bakr was before the Port-of-Spain High Court yesterday awaiting a date for his trial on a charge of conspiracy to murder. His attorney Pamela Elder SC said the filing of the indictment so soon was “unprecedented.” Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Geoffrey Henderson said the State had retained Queen’s Counsel (Sir Timothy Cassel) who will be available from November 1 to prosecute. Many were taken by surprise yesterday when Bakr turned up at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain, having been served last week with the indictment for him to go on trial. Bakr appeared with his wives and a large number of his followers. Bakr, 63, is charged with conspiring with David “Buffy” Millard and others to murder expelled Jamaat members Salim Rasheed and Zaki Aubaidah on June 4 2003 at Citrine Drive in Diamond Vale, Diego Martin.

Rasheed was shot and injured outside MovieTowne Cineplex on the night of June 4 2003. In that same incident, casino employee Jilla Bowen was shot dead. One man, Brent “Big Brent” Miller, was charged with her murder. But the charge was dropped and Miller was granted immunity in return for his testimony against Bakr. Bakr was listed to appear before Justice Mark Mohammed in the Port-of-Spain Fifth Criminal Court for a “cause list” hearing. Members of the media were allowed to attend the hearing, which is normally held “in camera.” Henderson told the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed. He asked that the matter be put for trial in November. He said all the State witnesses were available. In response, Elder said she always seek expeditious hearings, but not at the expense of other cases, some of whom are in prison awaiting trial for murder.

She said it was unprecedented that the indictment against Bakr had been filed, he having been committed to stand trial on July 14. She said her diary for September to December was fixed months ago. She also pointed out that she has a murder case listed to begin on October 1. Elder said apart from her heavy workload, a November trial would fall smack in the middle of Bakr’s Ramadan fasting period for Eid. Elder said two defence witnesses were called at the preliminary inquiry, but she was not certain they would be available for November. She added that other witnesses are expected at the trial. She said she needed time to consider the lengthy matter, saying she could not properly represent her client with such short preparations.

Henderson said his witnesses would be available for November, hence the reason he asked for a date in that month. Justice Mohammed said he was certain there would be many issues prior to the commencement of the trial, such as jury selection, pre-trial publicity, or maybe an application to exclude the evidence of the accomplice witnesses. The judge wanted to know how long such a trial would take. Henderson estimated that the trial could last six weeks, but Elder stretched it to nine. Justice Mohammed asked: “If November is not available, then what is the next date?” Both Henderson and Elder agreed that January was the most likely month for the start of the trial. Henderson said Queen’s Counsel will also be available in January. Justice Mohammed then adjourned further hearing to October 11, where a date will be set for the trial of the Muslimeen leader.