1 month ago
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- File photoFOUR PEOPLE were discharged by the High Court after prosecutors failed to comply with a scheduling order. The court had directed police to submit the case file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) by October 23, then file witness statements by November 13.
Prosecutors applied for an extension on October 10, and again on December 8, saying police had not prepared statements in compliance with the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act.
Defence attorneys Enrique Singh and Alejandro Gocking, along with public defenders Shane Patience and Colin Elbourne, argued that the state’s reasons were inadequate and undermined the requirement for matters to be handled justly and fairly.
They also argued that the state's explanations did not meet the requirements of the Criminal Procedure Rules.
Master Rehanna Hosein agreed, ruling that the prosecution had not provided evidence for the court to consider and had failed to comply with its orders. She discharged all of the accused.
The four – Kemar Miller, Rochard Manoram, Samantha Atkins and Randolph Gore – were initially charged with attempted murder and grievous bodily harm after a Venezuelan national was allegedly attacked on June 1 in Upper Davis Street, Belmont.
They first appeared before Hosein on June 23.
Atkins and Gore were granted $300,000 bail with a surety. Miller and Manoram were denied bail and remanded into custody.
In a statement, police said the investigation, led by the Port of Spain Gang Intelligence Unit and the Port of Spain Task Force, resulted in the arrests on June 22.
Officers said the victim suffered serious injuries. They said the suspects were charged with attempted murder and with throwing a corrosive substance with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
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