Accused cries self defence

A FORMER State witness literally cried “self defence” when he appeared before a magistrate at the Port-of-Spain Eighth Magistrates’ Court charged with the murder of Rennie Paul. 

Sherwin Griffith, 30, of Buller Trace, Pashley Street, Laventille, wept bitterly as the charge was read to him by Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicolls. “I didn’t mean to kill him. I killed him in self defence,” sobbed Griffith. “He threatened to kill everyone in my house tonight and I tell him to kill me now. He pull out a gun and I killed him in self defence,” he continued. Paul, a former death row inmate, also of Pashley Street, was fatally shot near his home on Wednesday. It was alleged that five shots were fired into the front windshield of his car, hitting him in the hand and chest. He got out of the car and attempted to run but stumbled and died instantly after receiving several other shots.

Griffith told McNicolls that his relatives had been unable to retain an attorney and the magistrate ordered the officers present in the courtroom to take him (Griffith) before a Clerk of the Peace to apply for legal aid. Before he was led away, he was allowed to speak with his father and sister. The two, also in tears, encouraged Griffith to “be strong.” He was arrested on Wednesday and charged yesterday by Acting Insp John Martinez of the Besson Street Police Station. Griffith had given evidence for the State on December 11, 2003, in the inquiry of the April 22, 2003 murder of Andre “X Files” Linsey, for which Jimmy “Shabaaz” Bournes and his sons, Nigel “Dufo” Mayers and Akeido Mayers had been charged.