Parris takes the stand

COMPLAINING of “something not being right in the courtroom,” Shawn Parris, the much-anticipated second star witness in the Dr Chandra Naraynsingh murder inquiry, testified for almost two hours yesterday on his knowledge of the killing of the doctor more than ten years ago. Parris buried his head in his hands, exhaled heavily, cracked his neck and took numerous pauses during his testimony in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court before Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington. Listening intently to Parris while seated on the prisoners’ bench were accused Prof Vijay Naraynsingh (Dr Chandra’s former husband), his current wife Seeromanie and businessman Elton Ramasir.

During Parris’ evidence, Naraynsingh took notes on a writing pad. Seeromanie, her eyes closed sometimes, shook her head during certain parts of the witness’ testimony. Parris is currently serving a life sentence for killing Dr Chandra at the Langmore Health Foundation on June 29, 1994. Parris, a maximum security prisoner, was brought into the courtroom in handcuffs around 1.50 pm. Two prison officers unlocked the ‘cuffs and Parris took the stand with the prison officers, several policemen and the court’s private security officers guarding both entrances to the courtroom. On several occasions, Parris, dressed in a long-sleeve shirt and tie, was apparently uncomfortable with the mid-afternoon heat in the courtroom as the sun shone brightly through the windows of the First Magistrates’ Court. Parris wiped away beads of perspiration.

He was just 40 minutes into his testimony when the State witness complained to a prison officer. “I am feeling nauseous,” he muttered. Parris declined the offer by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard for a glass of water, saying, “I would not even take the chance of taking a glass of water, sir.” Loosening his tie and unbuttoning two buttons on his long-sleeved shirt, Parris muttered: “Just bear with me. I will get it together.” As Parris adjusted himself on the witness box, attorney Prakash Ramadhar, defending Seeromanie, took issue with Parris’ pauses between sentences. The attorney asked that a note be taken of the lapses in Parris’ testimony, but Gaspard objected. The deputy DPP told Wellington that witnesses are allowed to regain their composure while giving evidence.

Ramadhar retorted, “The manifestation of his (Parris’) evidence is irregular; if you look at his eyes, you will see what is happening here.” Ramadhar told the magistrate that Gaspard was “very sensitive” in the matter because of his (Gaspard’s) “personal involvement in the case.” In fact, the defence attorney called on the Deputy DPP to give a statement on his “involvement” in the case. Although Magistrate Wellington called on Parris to continue giving evidence, Ramadhar persisted in asking the court to take note of the time lapses during Parris’ testimony. Parris interjected, “I do believe it was an issue, and I was asked to facilitate the note taker. I spoke to a prison officer before and I told him something was not right in the courtroom.” Yesterday’s hearing began with the State’s first star witness, Junior Morris, concluding his testimony under cross-examination by attorneys Larry Lalla and Ramadhar. Hearing continues today 10.15 am.