State closes case in businessman’s murder

Special prosecutor Gillian Lucky yesterday served notice after calling the prosecution’s final four witnesses in the preliminary inquiry into the businessman’s killing.

Regel Quasie Allick, who is listed as having addresses at Cotton Hill, St Clair as well as at Chafford Court, Charlotte Street, Port-of-Spain, is accused of killing So’Brien at Bellevue Estate, Upper Ariapita Avenue, St Ann’s at the home of Charlotte Elias, on May 16, 2008.

So’Brien, 35, a father of two, was shot dead as he confronted a bandit at the home of Elias, daughter of NH International’s executive chairman Emile Elias, and the former development director of CCA7, the defunct contemporary arts centre. At yesterday’s hearing, lead investigator into the slaying, detective Police Constable Ricardo Joseph-Perez testified in the inquiry.

Also testifying yesterday were PCs Sherwin Waldron and Nyron Heeralal, and David Mohammed who all returned for cross-examination from defence attorney David West.

Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls, who is hearing the preliminary inquiry from the Port-of- Spain Eighth Court, is expected to hear closing submissions when the hearing continues on Monday. State attorney Lee Merry also appears for the prosecution.

Allick, who is reportedly paralysed from his waist down, remains incarcerated at the infirmary of the Royal Prison on Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain.