Collapse in court

Sukhran Budhooram, 68, was taken to Port-of-Spain General Hospital in an Emergency Services Ambulance after he complained of having chest pains during his cross-examination by State prosecutor Brent Winter. He was eventually discharged from hospital and went to his Rodney Street, Biche home yesterday afternoon, his attorney Frank Peterson said.

The drama began at about 10.23 am when Winter was wrapping up his line of questioning. Budhooram, who has a history of heart problems, was recalling how he bought a ticket to go to New York for heart treatment.

“I had money saving. I had back-pay,” the former gardener said. “I was going to New York to see about my heart.” He said he planned to stay for about two to three weeks. Admitting that he at the time earned roughly $30 to $40 dollars a day, he was then asked how he could have afforded a ticket to go to New York. In response he said: “My family and them helped me buy the ticket.” He said he bought the ticket two weeks before the planned December 5 trip.

But it was when Winter pointed out the issue date of the accused’s ticket was in fact two days before that date, then Budhooram fell silent.

Clasping his chest, the accused asked for his “tablets”. Seated in the witness box, he toppled over, bowing to the floor. “You see what you did,” Volney asked a puzzled-looking Winter.

Budhooram’s wife Zanifa told the court her husband needed his tablets and that doctors had directed him to be taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, “any time he getting so.”

It was then an alarmed Volney told the jury that the day’s session was over and directed them to remain focused on the legal issues of the case.

Budhooram, is on trial for possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. He was charged by members of the Organised Crime, Narcotics and Firearms Bureau, after two parcels of the drug were allegedly found in his travel bag at Piarco International Airport on December 5, 2002.