World Cup fever reaches court:

THE MAN charged jointly with Yasin Abu Bakr with conspiracy to murder two expelled members of the Jamaat al Muslimeen, was not brought to court yesterday as the countdown started to Trinidad and Tobago’s participation in the World Cup.

Very few people concentrated on what was happening at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court. Accused persons came to court to answer their charges dressed in red, in support of the Soca Warriors. Even Senior Magistrate Lianne Lee Kim, presiding in the Port-of-Spain Fourth Magistrates’ Court, was dressed in her red blouse.

By 11 am, the corridors of the courthouse were empty as accused persons and police officers had left the building. Several policemen were hustling to see the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Munich, Germany.

Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls did not attend court, so the conspiracy to murder case against David “Buffy” Millard, was transferred to Lee Kim’s court.

When the matter was called, court prosecutor Sgt Winston Dillon informed the magistrate that Buffy was not brought from the prison. No reasons were advanced as to why the prisoner was not brought to court.

Even Millard’s lawyer Evans Welch was absent, but he sent a letter saying he was attending the Family Court. The preliminary inquiry was adjourned to June 20. Newsday learnt that there was no police escort to bring Millard to court.

Sometime after the case was adjourned, Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson appeared before Lee Kim. He said he was representing the State in the case against Buffy.

Millard, 43, is charged jointly with Bakr with conspiracy to murder Salim Rasheed and Zaki Aubidah at Citrine Drive, Diamond Vale, Diego Martin, on June 4, 2003.

Shortly before the charge was laid against Bakr on August 21, 2003, Millard fled Trinidad for Guyana. The case against Bakr continued, but on March 16, 2005, a mixed jury failed to arrive at a verdict in the Port-of-Spain Third Criminal Court and Justice Mark Mohammed ordered a re-trial. The retrial begins on October 2.

Millard was arrested in Guyana on May 3 this year when security officials went in search of missing AK-47 rifles belonging to the Guyana Defence Force. Millard was deported to Trinidad on May 6 and upon his arrival in Port-of-Spain, a warrant was served on him. He appeared in court two days later to answer the charge of conspiracy to murder. He was represented by Wayne Sturge, but has since changed his lawyer.