$100,000 bail each for teens on manslaughter charge

A SAN FERNANDO magistrate yesterday granted $100,000 bail each to two men who reappeared in court on the charge of illegally killing shoe store clerk Arvin Bissoondial, who was shot to death during a robbery at his workplace two weeks ago.

Obika Roberts, 17, and Jeron Calliste, 16, along with Nicholas Reyes, reappeared before First Court magistrate Mark Wellington. Bail was granted when a court ordered ‘trace’ of Calliste and Roberts’ records, showed that neither had previous convictions. Reyes, who has pending robbery matters at the Port-of-Spain and Tunapuna Magistrates’ Courts, was denied bail and advised of his right to apply to a Judge in Chambers. Although it was discovered that the bullet which hit Bissoondial came from the gun of a security guard on duty at Rennie’s Store, High Street, San Fernando,  the three were charged with manslaughter on orders of the Asst Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard.

Apart from the manslaughter charge, Roberts and Calliste also face 12 charges related to armed robbery and possession  of arms and ammunition. Attorney Ravi Gooljar asked the court to grant bail to Reyes saying that with pending matters he was already granted bail in the sum of $100,000  last  week at the Port-of-Spain Court, for  robbing a security guard of a revolver. However Magistrate Wellington maintained that he was not allowing bail because of the pending matters of robbery and possession of arms and ammunition. Gooljar also represented the two teenagers. The three are to reappear in court two days before Christmas.