Hypolite takes the stand tomorrow

WHEN hearing resumes in the San Fernando First Assize Court this morning, the State will call its last set of witnesses in the trial of Dhanraj Singh for murder. In indicating this yesterday to Justice Melville Baird, British Queen’s Counsel Sir Timothy Cassel, said that the final witness will be the State’s main witness — Elliot Hypolite also called ‘Abdullah’. He is expected to testify tomorrow.

Seven more witnesses testified yesterday in the trial bringing the total to 17 who have given evidence in the three days of hearing thus far. Cassel, lead Prosecutor against Singh for the murder of Hansraj Sumairsingh who was the chairman of the Rio Claro/Mayaro Regional Corporation, told Justice Baird at the close of hearing yesterday, that his last set of witnesses would be called today with the exception of Hypolite. Hypolite was charged with the killing of Sumairsingh at his (Sumairsingh’s) beach house in Mayaro. The murder was committed around 8 pm on December 30, 1999. Hypolite was granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for his testimony against Singh, a former Minister of Local Government.

Cassel told the jury, he will be presented in the witness box to testify how Singh contracted him to carry out the killing. “M’Lud, I am expected to finish all my witnesses tomorrow, except for Hypolite,” Cassel told Justice Baird at the close of proceedings yesterday. Cassel had told the jury of eight men and four women when he opened the case on Monday, that Hypolite was being reserved for tomorrow, because Karl Hudson Phillips QC, defending Singh, was out of the country. Hudson-Phillips took temporary leave of the trial in order to travel to the Hague in the Netherlands where he was sworn in on Tuesday as a judge of the International Criminal Court. Cassel informed the jury that Hudson-Phillips would be needed to cross-examine Hypolite and as a result, the witness could not be called earlier.

Among the six witnesses who testified yesterday was Supt Dawson Victor, Head of the Homicide Bureau (South). He spoke of executing a search warrant at the home of Singh at Dyers Village, Williamsville, around 3:50 pm on January 1, 2000. This witness was followed by Sgt Selwyn Lancaster. PC Kurt Jackson also gave evidence yesterday. All three policemen were cross-examined by attorney Ramadhar, who together with Ravi Rajcoomar and Jennifer Hudson-Phillips, are being led by Hudson-Phillips for the defence.

Terry Chaitan, a fisherman of Mayaro testified that he found a cellular phone in a boat below the Ortoire/Mayaro bridge. Linton Ramkissoon was next called and he testified that Chaitan gave him the cellular. Dr Hughvon de Vignes, pathologist attached to the Forensic Centre, testified that Sumairsingh died from gunshot wounds and he described the location of the wounds on the body. Attorney Ravi Rajcoomar informed Justice Baird that cross-examination of de Vignes would be conducted by Hudson-Phillips and requested that the doctor be relieved until he is needed. Grocery and bar proprietor of Mayaro, Rudolph Samuel, was next called and he gave evidence about the night of December 30, when Sumairsingh bought certain items from him.

The evidence of another State witness, Asia Watson, had to be read to the jury from the written deposition of her testimony which she gave in the Mayaro Magistrates’ Court. Cassel told the judge and jury that Watson had sent a medical certificate which said she was unfit to travel to the court to give oral testimony. Her evidence as read to the jury, stated that on the night of December 30, Watson was walking along the Eckles Village Road in Gran Lagoon when she heard two loud explosions. The evidence stated that she subsequently saw two men running from the direction of the explosion. According to her, the men run past her. After that statement was read, hearing was adjourned for the day, minutes after noon when the luncheon break is usually taken. Justice Baird acceded to a request from Rajcoomar for an early adjournment because of a pressing engagement he had to attend. The trial continues this morning.