Clik here to view.
After three trials and 12 years in prison, Alert Chinapoo was yesterday freed of murdering Club Coconuts DJ Nigel Karmody.
As he stepped out of the San Fernando High Court, Chinapoo, who was 16 years old when he was arrested, told reporters he intends to pursue a career in law to represent prisoners facing injustices.
Chinapoo, who was a Form Four pupil of Carapichaima Senior Comprehensive School, was charged after Karmody’s body was found near a water tank at Macaulay Road, Claxton Bay, on January 12, 2003, with stab wounds.
The state’s only piece of evidence against Chinapoo was an unsigned statement based on an oral confession which the police alleged he gave to them.
In the previous two trials, the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict.
But after deliberating for an hour and 35 minutes yesterday, the jury returned a not guilty verdict in the San Fernando High Court.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the manner in which the police dealt with the oral evidence in the case, Justice Gillian Lucky said: “It was clear that the police did not live up to the high standards expected of them in this case.”
She said the police ought to have known what is “good and proper practice of the law.”
The trial began about six weeks ago, with state attorneys Anju Bhola and Hema Soondarsingh leading evidence from several witnesses. Chinapoo opted not to testify.
Accompanied by his attorney Larry Williams, Chinapoo expressed relief that the matter was finally over and he was freed.
Saying the judiciary was in crisis, he lamented that he had to wait over 12 years for justice.
“There is no procedure, nothing in place for the men who are presently incarcerated who are just waiting to face a trial. It have men 15 years, 13 years, 12 years waiting on a trial and never receive a trial yet.
“Something needs to be done to be put in place for these men and them.”
While incarcerated, Chinapoo said, he used the time to pursue his academic goals. He said while in prison he attended classes at St Augustine Secondary School where he obtained five O’levels, as well as pursued other courses.
However, he intends to become a lawyer. “When I settle back in society I am going to do a degree in law and from there I will be able to help with issues and help people who are suffering injustices.”
He said he was not afraid because he knew he was innocent and he alleged the police had fabricated the case against him.
