KILLING AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS

THE WIDOW of a policeman who was shot dead at Police Headquarters last year feels anger at the police officer who took her husband’s life.

Katherine Guerra feels sorry for that officer, PC Sheldon Narine. Sometime after the fatal shooting, Katherine went to Narine’s home to see his face. During that interaction, she said Narine said he was worried about her.

“I said, don’t worry about me, think about you, and ask God to help you.”

Katherine was the second witness to testify at the inquest into her husband’s death. The first was Beverly Guerra-Jaggessar, sister of the dead policeman.

PC Carlos Guerra was shot dead at the offices of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad at Police Headquarters, Port-of-Spain, on August 12, 2005.

The inquest started yesterday before Coroner Sherman Mc Nicolls in the Port-of-Spain Eighth Magistrates Court. Israel Khan SC and Ulric Skerritt are seeking the interest of PC Narine whose conduct is being called into question.

Inspector Kenneth Cordner appears for the police, the Guerra family did not retain an attorney.

From the moment Katherine went into the witness box, she started to cry. She had been married to Guerra for five years although they lived together before. They have two sons, ages 12 and nine. She told the court that at the time of his death, Guerra worked with the Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

Katherine remembered Guerra’s last day. It was August 11, 2005. She said she was at work in Arima when Guerra past by her around 1.30 pm on his way to work. “I spoke to him, he appeared to be normal, ready to go to work. We spoke for about ten to 15 minutes.”

In response to the Coroner, Katherine said Guerra never confided in her, neither did he tell her that he was having problems at work.

“What about your marriage?” Mc Nicolls asked. “None,” Katherine replied. She said it was normal for them to speak during the day. When she arrived at home around 7 pm, she called Guerra who said he was going to get something to eat.

“He said he loved me, he was in the habit of telling me that. He said he was waiting for Narine to go and get chicken.”

Katherine said Narine worked with Guerra in the AKS. She said Narine was Guerra’s friend, and he came to their home on several occasions.

Katherine said it was sometime after midnight when she got a call from ASP David Nedd. She was told there was an accident, so she called her sister-in-law Beverly Guerra-Jagessar and her sister. She then called the AKS to find out how serious the accident was.

Katherine said a female officer returned the call and sent a PC Walker to take her to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. When she reached there, a security guard told her that Guerra had died. She went to a room and saw her husband’s body. The left side of Guerra’s chest was bandaged, she added.

On August 12, 2005, Katherine said she went to the Forensic Science Centre where she identified Guerra’s body to the pathologist.

Questioned by Inspector Cordner, Katherine said she was not aware of any problems between Guerra and Narine.

Further questioned by attorney Skerritt, Katherine said she knew Narine ever since he and Guerra were training together at the St James Barracks. “As far as I knew, they were friends.”

Coroner Mc Nicolls then asked, “when Narine visited your house, was your husband at home? Katherine replied, “yes.”

CORONER: Did Narine ever speak to you at your home?

KATHERINE: Yes.

CORONER: What did he say?

KATHERINE: He asked for water.

CORONER: Was that all?

KATHERINE: No, I would offer him what we had.

CORONER: Did you know where Narine lived?

KATHERINE: Yes.

CORONER: How did you know that?

KATHERINE: I did not know before the incident. After the incident, I went to see him, he and Carlos were good friends. I wanted to see his face. I saw him, I can’t recall the date. I met him at his home in Barataria.

CORONER: Did you go there alone?

KATHERINE: No, PC Walker carried me. Narine invited us inside.

CORONER: How was he? Was he smiling, sad, crying, we want to know if there was a motive in this matter?

KATHERINE: He appeared sorrowful, he said he did not mean to do that. (Witness starts to cry).

Narine said he was worried about me. I said don’t worry about me. Think about you, and ask God to help you.

CORONER: Did your husband have a life insurance policy?

KATHERINE: Yes.

CORONER: With who?

KATHERINE: Clico.

CORONER: Who was the beneficiary?

KATHERINE: Me.

CORONER: How much was he insured for?

KATHERINE: $80,000.

Katherine said Narine never visited her home at KP Lands, Valencia after the shooting.

Questioned by Skerritt, Katherine said, “I am angry, but yet still I am sorry for him. We (family) were angry with what had happened.

CORONER: Is there anything else you would like to tell us about this matter?

KATHERINE: (After a long pause); No.

Further hearing was adjourned to Friday.