Six testify at Sean Luke murder inquiry

The first witness called by the State was Luke’s uncle — Sankar Moonilal. The murdered boy’s aunt — Marilyn Persad — was the second witness called.

Yesterday’s start of the trial came after several postponements even though the State had assured that the murder hearing would be expedited.

Luke’s body was found in a canefield behind his Orange Valley home in Waterloo on March 28, 2006.

Two youths are before the court — one 16 years old, and the other, 13 — charged with the murder.

Magistrate Marcia Ayres-Caesar called the matter shortly after 11 am, then asked members of the public to vacate the courtroom. Only family members, the two accused and members of the media were allowed to sit in the courtroom during the proceedings.

Before any witnesses were called to the stand, attorney Celeste Jules told the magistrate she was concerned about the media’s presence in the courtroom. Deputy DPP Roger Gaspard objected, saying it was up to the court’s discretion.

Ayres-Caesar ruled that the media had so far been responsible in reporting the case. She said there was no need to exempt the media because the case was one of great national importance.

The other witnesses called were police draftsman Cpl Gregory Hood; PC Lyndon Hosein of the Couva Police Station; PC Anthony Thurab of the Police Canine Unit, and Nehemiah Ramdhanie, of Binda Street, Orange Valley.

Ramdhanie, who has a broken leg and was forced to use a pair of crutches, could not stand in the witness box. He was allowed to sit in a chair next to the witness box to give evidence. He was cross-examined by defence attorney Jules. After Ramdhanie, Jules, who is representing the 16-year-old, requested an adjournment to a day lead defence attorney Wayne Sturge would be able to attend court.

Ayres-Caesar adjourned the matter to August 11.