After 10 days Parris relieved as witness

AFTER being cross-examined for ten consecutive days by defence attorneys on his knowledge about the killing of Dr Chandra Naraynsingh, hitman Shawn Parris was relieved as one of the State’s star witnesses in the preliminary inquiry into the doctor’s murder. Parris signed his name on the court’s notes of evidence around noon yesterday after it was read back to him in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court. He was then relieved as a witness by Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington. He was escorted back into custody where he is serving life imprisonment for shooting Chandra dead ten years ago.

However, Parris’ exit from the proceedings did not pass without legal fireworks between one of the defence attorneys and Magistrate Mark Wellington. Defence attorney Prakash Ramadhar, Wellington and Gaspard crossed swords on an issue of the extradition proceedings to bring Parris  back to Trinidad from the United States and Parris’ sentencing last year February by a judge. Ramadhar, who grilled the witness in cross-examination on more than five consecutive days, sought to cross-examine the State witness again yesterday. However, within five minutes of Ramadhar’s questioning, Gaspard objected on the grounds of relevance. Ramadhar replied it was relevant for the court to know the findings of the High Court in passing sentence on Parris, in relation to the behaviour and character of the witness.

Wellington agreed with Gaspard and asked, “Is there any dispute about that? Isn’t it a matter of record? What is the relevance?” Wellington disallowed the question but again, when Ramadhar resumed his cross-examination of Parris, Gaspard objected on the ground of relevance. Once again Wellington upheld Gaspard’s objection, but the ruling did not go down lightly with Ramadhar. The defence attorney asked the magistrate, “Are you limiting the questions I must ask in cross-examination?” Wellington reiterated his ruling, but Ramadhar responded, “Having regard to the attitude of the court in preventing me from asking certain questions, I have no further cross-examination. Having telegraphed everything to the witness, I will now take my seat.” Hearing resumes on Monday at 1.15 pm.