Attorneys wrangle over start of inquiry

THE State yesterday informed deputy Chief magistrate Mark Wellington that it was unaware of any “deals” struck with witnesses to prosecute Prof Vijay Naraynsingh, his wife Seeromanie and businessman Elton Ramasir for the murder of Naraynsingh’s former wife Dr Chandra Naraynsingh. The Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard then sought an adjournment of yesterday’s hearing when Naraynsingh, Seeromanie and Ramasir appeared in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court for what was an expected start of the Preliminary Inquiry hearing into the murder. However, Gaspard’s request was met with rebuff by Wellington, who last week Tuesday had instructed the State to be ready to commence hearing yesterday with “substantive witnesses.”

It was Naraynsingh’s second appearance yesterday in court since he was charged two weeks ago for the killing, in which wife Chandra was gunned down at the Langmore Health Centre on June 29, 1994. Seeromanie and Ramasir also appeared yesterday. Yesterday, Wellington again expressed disappointment with the State’s explanation, through Gaspard, that he was unable to have possession of the file from the DPP office in order for him to commence hearing by calling witnesses. “If we are talking about Vision 2020, this is not it. I thought you would have witnesses to testify today. I thought the file would have been ready and we could have started today,” Wellington told Gaspard. Yesterday’s hearing saw Queens Counsel Karl Hudson Phillips appearing in court to represent the Naraynsinghs.

The International Criminal Court judge accused the State of striking a deal with witnesses in the murder inquiry. Hudson Phillips told magistrate Wellington, “It is public knowledge that with respect to this very murder investigation, another person charged with this murder, indicted, and brought before the High Court; when attempted to plead guilty to manslaughter said publicly that he had a deal with the director.” Sean Parris, 35, had pleaded guilty in February this year to manslaughter for Chandra’s killing, and was sentenced by Justice Herbert Volney to life imprisonment. Hudson Phillips continued, “It is clear that this prosecution is based on some deal or arrangement by the prosecution, which has been raised. In these circumstances, it speaks ill of the department of the DPP to charge persons ten years after the event and come to court and say it is not ready.”

Hudson Phillips submitted that he was not asking for special treatment, but was pleading with the court “for what is fair, just and in accordance of basic standards of humanity and justice.” Gaspard replied that he knew of no deal struck between the DPP and witnesses “which would have been hatched prior to the charging of these three persons.” Gaspard said: “I know of no such deal.” The deputy DPP added that there was no statutory limit to charging persons for murder. Wellington asked Gaspard when the DPP file on the case would be ready. After informing the court that he would seek to have it available by Friday, Wellington asked defence attorneys about a suitable date to adjourn the case and then fixed hearing for Friday morning and stressed to attorneys that the court would be minded to commence hearing of the inquiry.