Lawyer: Star witness knows his law

YESTERDAY was the third day in which contract killer Shawn Parris was subjected to cross-examination, and the State’s star witness seems likely to face questioning from defence attorneys for the rest of this week. While under continued cross-examination of Parris in the Dr Chandra Naraynsingh murder inquiry yesterday, a defence attorney remarked that Parris had shown great familiarity with the law. Parris is serving a life sentence in jail for killing Chandra. Chandra’s former husband, Prof Vijay Naraynsingh, his current wife Seromanie Maharaj-Naraynsingh, and businessman Elton Ramasir are charged with Chandra’s murder on June 29, 1994.

Parris was yesterday grilled by Ramadhar for two hours, making it three consecutive hearings of cross-examination of the witness. Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Roger Gaspard, objected to a question Ramadhar attempted to pose yesterday which was of a similar nature to the one asked on Friday, but which Magistrate Wellington had overruled. Gaspard submitted that Ramadhar’s question was a legal one which the witness could not answer. Defence attorney Sophia Chote, also representing Maharaj-Naraynsingh, interjected and told the court that the challenge to Parris was relevant.

Chote said that Parris had shown a great familiarity with the law. “It is facetious for the prosecution,” Chote said, “not to understand he (Parris) was charged with murder.” The attorney added, “In the witness box, he (Parris) has shown a great familiarity with the law.” However, Wellington again ruled that the question could not be asked. This resulted in a bout of cross-talk between Parris and Ramadhar. Ramadhar told Parris, “That is lyrics. You want to give this court some more?” Hearing of the inquiry continues today at 1.30 pm.