An Estate Constable who shot a man at the entrance to a supermarket in New Grant appeared in the Princes Town Magistrates Court yesterday charged with his murder.
Govinda Morgan, 26, of Special Elite Investigations, however, expressed concern for his safety when he appeared before Princes Town Senior Magistrate Gail Gonzales.
Morgan, of Point Fortin, was taken into custody after the incident on February 6, at Persad’s D Food King supermarket after Vern “Pumba” Sambury was shot. Sambury, 38, of New Grant, died hours later at the San Fernando General Hospital.
Relatives claim Sanbury had gone to the supermarket to purchase a loaf of bread. Morgan was subsequently charged by Sgt Stephen Ragbir of the Princes Town Police Station.
Prosecutor Roger Richardson told the magistrate there were 12 witnesses, but a state counsel had to be appointed to prosecute the matter.
Although the file has to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for the state attorney to be appointed, the magistrate said it was likely the matter would proceed by way of paper committal so the police complainant could begin authenticating witnesses statements.
Morgan’s attorney John Heath said the defence was eager to start the matter and asked for disclosure, including any statements from his client and the video recording of the incident which, he said, has been circulating on social media sites.
Heath also said his client had received threats.
He said the accused was on duty when the incident took place. The attorney said he would be writing to the Prisons Commissioner Sterling Stewart to inform him of the situation, but he also wanted the police to be informed as Morgan was being taken from police to prison custody.
The magistrate said on the next occasion she wants to have a status report on whether the file was sent to the Office of the DPP and whether statements were being sworn too.
The magistrate said she was looking at having the inquiry started at least by April.
The matter was adjourned to March 13.