3 lose appeals for killing Clint Huggins

THREE MEN who killed State witness Clint Huggins lost their appeals yesterday and moved one step closer to facing the hangman. Huggins, a special reserve policeman, was the main witness for the prosecution against Dole Chadee and others for the 1994 murders of four members of a Williamsville family. Huggins, who was in protective custody, was shot, stabbed and burnt on the Uriah Butler Highway, Mount Hope, on February 20, 1996 — four months before the Chadee trial. Arnold Huggins, Leslie Huggins, and Junior Phillip, were sentenced to death on May 8, 2003, for killing Huggins. Yesterday, the Court of Appeal comprising Justices Roger Hamel-Smith, Margot Warner and Paula Mae-Weekes, dismissed the appeals and affirmed the death sentences.

Dana Seetahal appeared for the State, Desmond Allum SC and Rajiv Persad for Leslie Huggins; Ian Stuart Brook for Arnold Huggins, and Brook and Dawn Mohan for Phillip. The story began when Clint decided to leave protective custody on February 18, 1996, to visit his family at Leslie’s home at Mulchan Street, Guaico. Clint had gone to enjoy the Carnival celebrations, although it was not unusual for him to visit his family while in protective custody. Leslie was in a common-law relationship with Swarsatee “Satee” Maharaj. Leslie was friendly with one Junior Phillip, who eventually moved next door to Leslie and Satee.

According to the prosecution, Leslie’s father David was married to Joey Ramiah’s sister. Sometime in 1995, Leslie visited Ramiah in prison where he was awaiting trial. On his return home, Leslie told Satee that Ramiah knew about Clint’s movements from time to time between protective custody and his visits to his family. Leslie said Ramiah promised to pay $3 million to kill Clint. A few days later, Leslie told Satee that he was going to do the job and collect the money as he felt that Clint deserved to die; that he had accepted a sum of money not to testify against Chadee, but he had not kept his word. Satee became the State’s principal witness.

Around 8 pm on February 19, 1996, Leslie, Junior, Satee, Clint and a man called Simon went to Sangre Grande for Carnival Monday night celebrations. Three hours later, they were walking along the Eastern Main Road, when Leslie asked Satee to accompany him to Market Road. Arnold Huggins also turned up. There was a plan that night to kill Clint, but it was deferred because there were too many persons around. They all returned home and retired to bed. But Leslie woke up Clint and said he was going to Port-of-Spain for J’ouvert. Arnold, Leslie, Junior, Clint, Satee and Simon left for Port-of-Spain in two cars — a Laurel and Lancer.

On reaching the Uriah Butler Highway, Mount Hope, Leslie stopped on the shoulder in one of the cars. Arnold had a long gun in his hand. Clint got out. Arnold pointed the gun over the top of the roof and fired at Clint. Clint staggered and started to run across the highway. Arnold fired another shot. Leslie drove the car across the median bouncing and throwing Clint onto a chain link fence. Leslie got out of the car and with help from Junior and Arnold, pulled Clint into the back seat of the car. Leslie produced a knife and stabbed Clint several times. With Clint in the car, Leslie burnt the Laurel. Everyone returned to Leslie’s home.

The police later found Clint’s body and the following day, a post-mortem examination revealed that the State witness suffered multiple stab wounds, gunshot wounds, and burns. Arnold, Leslie, and Junior were later arrested and charged for murder. In his judgment, Justice Hamel-Smith said the case against Arnold, Leslie, and Junior turned on the evidence given by Satee. “By the verdict, the jury found her to be a truthful witness in spite of her many errors and inconsistencies,” the judge added.