Inspector in court for murder

A haggard and gaunt looking Warner-Paul exited a police SUV at 9.20 am, amid stares from a large crowd which gathered in front of the courthouse.

Unshaven and wearing a dark coloured sports jacket, the officer with 28 years service, stood in the dock before Magistrate Judy Gordon shortly before 10 am. He was accompanied inside the court by ACP Amber Denoon, who charged him with the offence.

Watching on closely were several members of the Police Social Welfare Association, of which Warner-Paul was an executive member. However, association president Cpl Emrol Bruce was absent.

As Gordon read out the charge of murder, Warner-Paul pursed his lips and stared straight ahead. It is alleged that Warner-Paul shot and killed Pierre on August 31, at La Chance Trace in Malabar.

After the charge was read out, counsel for the accused officer, Ulric Skerritt, requested a speedy trial and full disclosure of the facts from the prosecution. Gordon enquired about State counsel since there was none present in court yesterday.

A police prosecutor informed the court that a State attorney was yet to be appointed and it would be inappropriate for police officers to deal with this matter, since it involves one of their own.

The magistrate agreed and the matter was adjourned to September 12.

Following the short hearing, the tired-looking officer was taken away to Remand Yard at the Golden Grove Prison in Arouca.

A few of Warner-Paul’s relatives were seen going through the huge front gate of the courthouse in an effort to speak with him. One of his elderly aunts emerged a few minutes later wiping away tears.

Some two hours after the hearing, an Amalgamated Security Services van reversed into the left entrance of the court and took away Warner-Paul. It is unclear whether the policeman will join the general prisoners’ population or if he will be kept apart.

Reports are that the Police Service and investigating officers have not made any special request regarding accommodation for Warner-Paul.

A prison official told Newsday, “it is not unusual for such an accused to be placed in the infirmary since placing him in GP (general prison population) would be putting his life at risk.”

Meanwhile, Homicide Bureau detectives continued their investigation into Pierre’s murder and returned to La Chance Trace yesterday with an eyewitness.

ACP Denoon, ASP Johnny Abraham, Inspector Stanley Ramdeen along with officers of the Crime Scenes Unit spent close to 30 minutes at the murder scene. The investigators took measurements of the area.