Balram Maharaj Murder Case

THE start of the preliminary inquiry into the murder of United States war veteran Balram “Balo” Maharaj did not get off the ground yesterday because two police witnesses did not show up in court.

When Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls adjourned the case, it was already 10.15 a.m and there were no signs of the photographer PC Nigel Bedeau and draughtsman PC Gregory Hood.

All the accused were in the dock for the start of the inquiry. When Mc Nicolls asked State attorney Jennifer Martin if she was ready, she said she was awaiting the arrival of Bedeau.

“The witnesses — Bedeau and Hood — were here the last time. I don’t know where they are, I have not heard from Mr. Hood and Mr Bedeau is on his way.”

Mc Nicolls then asked, “Where are they coming from, Tobago?”

Martin said Bedeau was coming from San Juan.

But one of the defence lawyers Evans Welch was not too pleased. He asked that the case against his clients Kenneth and Wayne Pierre be dismissed. He complained that all he was getting were excuses. “These explanations are not justifiable, sensible or reasonable. This matter has been set on five occasions to start.”

Welch said if these two policemen were not available, there were others on which the prosecution could call. He said the time had come for the matter to be dismissed. “This is a total disrespect to the court and a violation of the rights of the accused.”

Martin replied that it was up to the prosecution to call the order of the witnesses. The names of the two policemen were called again, but they were absent.

Mc Nicolls said he heard an application to dismiss the case against the Pierre brothers, but he was not minded to do so at this time. The case was then adjourned to June 2.

Maharaj, 62, of Mount Vernon, New York, was kidnapped from outside the Samaan Tree Bar in Aranjuez on April 5, 2005 and a $3 million ransom demanded.