Accused claims he was ‘set up’

THREE men on trial for murder have denied knowing anything about the killing, with one claiming he had been set up. Giving evidence at the Port-of-Spain Second Court yesterday, Insp John Martinez said at the time of their arrests, two of the men, Andy “Sudan” Brown and Bryan “Soldier Barry” Barrington, said they knew nothing about the murder. The third man, Sebastian “Bassie” Joseph, said that he felt he “was getting set up.” The three are before Madame Justice Alice Yorke-Soo Hon charged with the November 12, 2001 murder of Junior “Ombie” Frederick.

Frederick, 30, of Fatima Trace in Laventille, was fatally shot at the corner of Fatima Trace and Mentor Avenue, Laventille. A post-mortem report revealed he had died of injuries consistent with multiple gunshot wounds. Another man, Erwin Deyal, who had been with Frederick at the time, sustained several gunshot wounds to his stomach and his left arm and right leg were almost severed. He was warded at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital for almost a year after the shooting. According to Martinez, when he visited the scene on the night of the murder he saw Frederick’s blood-soaked body lying under a street light with spent shells around him.

He said when he visited Deyal at the hospital, the injured man was not in a position to give a statement. However, a statement was taken by acting Insp Wayne Dick at a later date. On instructions from the DPP, Martinez said he obtained warrants of arrests for Brown and Barrington, as well as warrants to search their homes for evidence relating to the murder. No such evidence was found, but Brown was arrested on December 1, and Barrington on December 8. Joseph was arrested on February 20, 2002. The three were subsequently charged with the murder, Martinez said. Attorneys Wayne Sturge, Ian Stuart Brook, Sophia Chote and Michelle Solomon are representing the accused. Prosecutor Alexander Prince is appearing for the State. Hearing resumes today.