Evidence moves notetaker to tears

Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington was forced to call a halt to the evidence and stood down the matter to allow the notetaker to compose herself. In the end, the weeping notetaker had to be replaced.

Marlon King, 33, is before the court charged with the murder of Anamanthodo — his stepdaughter — while the victim’s mother Anita, 19, is also before the court charged with six counts of child neglect.

Anita who also appeared in court yesterday, remains in custody since no one has stood her $45,000 bail.

While Amy’s grandmother Chanardaye Basdeo, 62, testified, Anita sat on a bench next to the prisoners’ dock staring at the ceiling crying. Yesterday’s inquiry began with Wellington reading the murder charge to King.

This charge alleges that on May 15, King of Ste Madeline Street, Marabella murdered Amy Anamanthodo. Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard, called the State’s first witness — Police draftsman Cpl Gregory Hood who was later cross-examined by defence attorney El Farouk Hosein. Basdeo of Mootoo Lands, Marabella broke down in tears while she was giving evidence in the court. It was at this point that the female notetaker who was seated in front of Wellington’s desk, also broke down in tears. The matter was stood down for ten minutes.

The third witness to take to the stand was Amy’s father Jason Walker of Jean Street, Cocoyea Village, San Fernando. Cross-examination was however reserved. Gaspard told Wellington that he had four other witnesses slated to give evidence yesterday. He added that for the next hearing, he would endeavour to call seven witnesses. Wellington then remanded King into custody and adjourned the matter to August 17.