The controversy surrounding Daniel Guerra's murder took a new twist yesterday after Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington was asked to consider recusing himself from the preliminary inquiry into the child's murder. This comes one day after Wellington suggested that attorney Kevin Rattiram reconsider representing Police Constable Darwin Ghouralal, 41, of La Romaine, who is charged with Daniel's murder. On Tuesday the San Fernando First Court Magistrate guardedly advised in open court that Rattiram reconsider representing Ghouralal.
The San Fernando First Court magistrate did not give a reason for the suggestion. Rattiram speculated the magistrate could be referring to an interview he did with Daniel's mother, Rona Indarsingh, on his talk show, Eye on Crime, aired last month on WINtv. Yesterday president of the Southern Assembly of Lawyers, Frank Seepersad, said: "If it is that Mr Wellington has seen an interview that has made an impression on his mind relative to this matter, it is probably wise for him to consider recusing him from the conduct of the preliminary inquiry."
Ghouralal was charged on Monday with murdering Daniel between February 18 and February 21, 2011. He will reappear in court on May 3. Seepersad expressed concern that the magistrate would make such a suggestion. He said: "The statement by the court was inappropriate. It is not for the court to determine if an attorney is suitable to represent an accused. That decision rests with an accused. "The learned magistrate had no right or authority to interfere in that arrangement." Seepersad said the issue of conflict did not arise in the matter.