Woman testifies at sister’s murder inquiry

THE ELDER sister of a murdered teenager yesterday gave evidence in the preliminary inquiry into the murder at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Eighth Court before Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls.

Janelle Walker, 24, of LP 52 Mentor Avenue, Laventille, was examined by police prosecutor Acting Insp Kenneth Cordner and cross-examined by defence attorney Keith Scotland. Her sister, 13-year-old Joanna “Suke” Walker, also of Mentor Alley, was hit by a single bullet on July 14, moments after she came out of her home for a breath of fresh air. She later died on arrival at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. The man charged with her murder, Nassau Charles, 23, of Hamlet Trace, St Barbs, was also charged with shooting at Abiola Abraham, two counts of possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition and possession of ammunition to endanger life.  He was arrested and subsequently charged by Cpl Steve Sookdeo of the Besson Street CID.   

When the prosecution and defence completed questioning, Scotland re-quested that a disclosure of the identification parade forms relevant to the matter be made by the prosecution. Additionally, he requested copies of any photographs the prosecution intended to submit as exhibits, along with other documentary evidence, including “post-mortem notes.” Charles was informed by McNicolls of his right to be brought to court in the next ten days, but agreed to re-appear on the date requested by his attorney. He was remanded by consent and will re-appear in court on January 7, 2004.