‘I am afraid of jail’

BRENT MILLER, who said he was once the third highest ranking member of the Jamaat Al Muslimeen, is afraid of jail. Although he was freed of the killing of Jillia Bowen at Movie Towne on June 4, 2003, he still lives in fear that he could be charged again for that murder. Miller, also called “Big Brent” and “Fatman,” was the beneficiary of a conditional immunity document signed by DPP Geoffrey Henderson dated September 26, 2003. Miller, 30, was granted immunity from prosecution on the conspiracy to murder charge on the condition that he gives evidence against Jamaat Al Muslimeen leader Yasin Abu Bakr.

Miller told the jury and alternates before Justice Mark Mohammed in the Port-of-Spain Third Criminal Court yesterday that he was taken by five policemen to the DPP’s office on September 28, 2003, and served with the immunity document. “I asked them why I was going to the DPP’s office, but they didn’t tell me,” Miller added. At the office, Miller said he met Cpl Jayson Forde and State attorney George Busby. Under cross-examination by lead defence attorney Pamela Elder SC, the State witness said Busby explained the immunity to him. “They waved the immunity in your face?” Elder asked Miller.

The witness denied this, saying Busby never told him to give evidence against Bakr. He said he got the immunity after the Movie Towne charges were dropped on September 9, 2003. Miller said the dropping of the charges was not a gift, although the Chief Magistrate told him that he was a lucky man when he was released. Although he is free, Miller said “I am worried. I don’t want to go back to jail.” He said the State lawyer explained to him what could happen if he does not give the evidence in this case. “Mr Busby told me that if I didn’t give the evidence, I could be charged with the accused. When he told me I could be charged, I became concerned.”

Miller does not feel if he says something against the DPP’s office, the immunity will be taken back. But he still has fears that the immunity could be taken back and he will be charged with murder again. “I know I have to give the evidence based on my statements. I know if I move from these statements, they will drop a charge on me.” Elder asked, “they are holding you by your testicles?” “No,” said Miller. Miller said when he was charged with murder, he became scared. “I wanted to come out. I don’t like being caged up.”

He said he was kept in a cell at the police station for four days before he was charged. After he was charged, he was sent to prison where he shared a cell with six or seven persons. “I wanted out,” Miller added. He said he had to sleep on the ground, there were no beds, lock down was between 2 pm and 3 pm, there were no toilet facilities, no screen for privacy and a slop bucket outside the cell. When he was released, Miller said, “I felt good. I felt free. I did not want to go back in that hell hole. I was happy.” When hearing ended at 2.40 pm, Miller was still being cross-examined by Elder. Hearing resumes this morning.