Three on trial for Laventille killing

THREE men went on trial yesterday in the Port-of-Spain Second Criminal Court for the murder of a Laventille man. Andy “Sudan” Brown, Brian “Soldier Barry” Barrington and Sebastian “Bassie” Joseph are before Madame Justice Alice Yorke Soo Hon charged with the November 12 2001 murder of Junior “Ombie” Frederick. Frederick, 30, of Fatima Trace in Laventille, was fatally shot at the corner of  Fatima Trace and Mentor Avenue. A post-mortem report revealed he had died of  injuries consistent with multiple gunshot wounds. In outlining the case, State attorney Alexander Prince told the 12-member jury and two alternates that around 9.30 pm on the day in question Frederick and his friend Erwin Deyal were walking along Fatima Trace, when Deyal stopped to tie his shoe laces.

As Frederick continued walking, Prince said, Brown and Joseph jumped out from behind lampposts and shouted, “Don’t move.”  They were armed with a pistol and a shotgun. Deyal and Frederick attempted to escape and were shot. Barrington emerged from Mentor Alley carrying what appeared to be a sub-machine gun. He approached Deyal and told him, “You liming with a man who against Muslim,” and shot him.  Deyal pleaded for his life, Prince said, but he was again shot several times. According to Prince, Deyal eventually crawled under a bridge. 

As he lay there, he heard Brown say to Frederick, “Ent yuh bad. Turn over and run now. You know how long I want to kill you.” Then he heard Barrington say, “I have to make sure and kill him,” and several shots were fired. Prince said when police arrived at the scene, an unconscious Deyal was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, where he remained warded for almost a year. The three men were charged by Insp John Martinez of the Besson Street police. They were committed to stand trial for the murder on January 10, 2003. Brown is being represented by attorneys Sophia Chote and Michelle Solomon. Attorney Wayne Sturge appears for Joseph and I S Brook appears for Barrington. Hearing resumes today.