‘Skelly’ murder trial set for Nov 1

Sheldon “Skelly” Lovell, Shawn “Gumbo” Vincent and Brent “Small Brent” Danglade yesterday appeared before Justice Herbert Volney at the Port-of-Spain First Criminal Court for a cause list hearing.

The matter was called and stood down twice to facilitate the late arrival of Director of Public Prosecution Geoffrey Henderson. When it was called the third time, Henderson sought an adjournment in order for his department to get its house in order in preparation for the start of the trial. The November 1 adjournment was granted.

The trio are charged with the murder of Curepe businessman Dennis Persad-Jodhan, who was abducted outside his father’s business place, Dumplin’s Mini Mart in Curepe on December 23, 2002. His body was found three days later in Aranjuez.

Lovell, Vincent and Danglade, along with two other men Richard “Chinee” Kirton and Jason Joseph had been charged with the kidnapping. However, when that matter came up before Justice Larry Lalla on June 26, the State indicated that it had been unable to locate its main witness Joel “Footy” Phillips, upon whose evidence the State’s case heavily depended.

Phillips, who had been granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for his evidence against the five accused, had walked out of the safe house and is feared to be dead. Attorneys Rangee Dolsingh, Keith Scotland and Sean Cazabon appear for Lovell, Vincent and Danglade respectively.