State’s ‘star’ witness questioned for 4 hours

THE GRUELLING cross-examination of Junior Morris, the State’s “star” witness in the preliminary inquiry into the murder of Dr Chandra Naraynsingh, began yesterday with Queen’s Counsel Karl Hudson-Phillips grilling Morris for more than four hours. Morris, of La Romaine, stood in the witness box before Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington. After Hudson-Phillips completed his questioning, defence attorney Prakash Ramadhar began his cross-examination of Morris who was brought to court yesterday in a heavily-tinted car. The witness left the courtroom in the same manner, shielded from the public by armed, plainclothes policemen.

Morris is the fifteenth witness to be called by the State to testify in the murder inquiry in which Dr Chandra Naraynsingh was shot dead on June 29 1994, outside her workplace at the Langmore Health Foundation, Palmyra. Her former husband Professor Vijay Naraynsingh, his current wife Seeromanie and San Fernando businessman Elton Ramasir, are before the courts charged with the murder. Queen’s Counsel Hudson-Phillips and Ravi Rajcoomar are defending Professor Naraynsingh while Prakash Ramadhar, Sophia Chote, Chateram Sinanan and Brian Dabideen are counsel for Seeromanie Naraynsingh and Larry Lalla and Vishwanath Rambarran are counsel for Ramasir.

Hearing resumed around 10.40 am yesterday, with Morris continuing his evidence in chief from Wednesday. At one point, Wellington warned him not to speak to persons because he was a witness giving sworn testimony before the court. The warning was given to Morris before he was asked by Wellington to step outside the courtroom when attorneys for the State and defence presented arguments on a point of law. At 11.40 am, just 20 minutes before the lunch break, Hudson-Phillips launched his cross-examination of Morris.

When the court hearing resumed after lunch at 1.35 pm, Hudson-Phillips continued his questioning of the witness, which continued for another two hours. The cross-examinations went smoothly, but at one point Hudson-Phillips told Morris, “Don’t quarrel with me son. I have been decent with you so far.” After he ended his marathon cross-examination of Morris, attorney Prakash Ramadhar began his questioning, which saw heated exchanges between the witness and attorney for an hour. The case was subsequently adjourned to next Wednesday when Ramadhar will continue the cross-examination.