Witness refuses to attend court

One of the remaining witnesses in the Galene Bonadie inquest has gone into hiding. This was revealed yesterday after the name of the witness was called in court, only for Coroner Sherman Mc Nicolls to be told he was not present. Sherlon Reid, a cousin of Sean Francis (common-law husband of the deceased) and a witness to the incident which led to the death of the woman, was absent when the matter was called. The Coroner had been told earlier by Cpl Hollis Jacobs, a police officer assisting in ensuring witnesses are brought to court, the witness had gone into hiding. On learning of the development, Coroner Mc Nicolls instructed Jacobs to go to Reid’s home in Vegas, Morvant and bring him to court.

Jacobs returned to the court, but without Reid and informed the Coroner he found Reid at his home, but while waiting for him to get ready to come to court, Reid ran off and could not be found. After being instructed by the Coroner to take the witness stand, Jacobs told the court under oath that he went to Reid’s home at about 10 am yesterday where he met with Reid. Jacobs said he told Reid he was sent to bring him to court to testify in the Bonadie matter. “He told me he needed to go take a bath. He did this in the yard by a stand pipe. I waited inside. When he was finished he came to me and told me he did not have any long pants to put on to come to court. I told him to come in whatever he had, because he needed to be there.

He went back inside. After about 20 minutes, his sister told me Sherlon was not there, and invited me to look around for myself. I did this and he was nowhere to be found,” said Jacobs. Before making a decision on the matter, Coroner Mc Nicolls asked the witness, “Is there any likelihood that if this witness is summoned, he will come to court?” Cpl Jacobs responded, “No.” Mc Nicolls then issued a warrant for Reid’s arrest and set bail at $5,000. Attorney Anthony Bullock, who is acting on behalf of attorney Ravi Rajkoomar, the attorney seeking the interest of the Bonadie family, rose and informed the magistrate of “disturbing developments” during the court proceedings.

“Two witnesses and another were followed yesterday by police officers from the precincts of the court. I have been informed that a police officer (name called) threatened Kevon Innis (Bonadie’s son who testified earlier this week). Bullock said, “The justice and the integrity of this case is being interfered with and we call for a summary report of the incident. Witnesses are now afraid to come to court.” Ulric Skerrit, who is part of the team of attorneys representing the four police officers whose conduct have come into question, said this was not the first time accusations such as these had come to the fore.

Three more witnesses gave evidence yesterday, including two police photographers who visited the scene of the incident. Pictures of the body of Galene Bonadie were also shown to the court. Major witness Sean Reid also gave evidence yesterday. The court heard that Reid was beaten on the same day by the same officers who, according to witnesses, pulled the trigger of the gun, causing Bonadie’s death. Bonadie, of Second Caledonia Morvant, was shot and killed instantly on April 2 last year after a confrontation between residents and police officers who were reportedly patrolling the area. Hearing resumes on Monday.