Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington has advised defence lawyer Kevin Rattiram to reconsider representing accused Police Constable Darwin Ghouralal who is charged with the murder of eight-year-old Daniel Guerra. Wellington gave the advice yesterday when Ghouralal reappeared in the San Fernando Magistrates' Court, charged with the boy's killing. Ghouralal, 41, an officer with 15 years' service, who was last assigned to the Robbery Squad, Southern Division, was arrested and charged on Monday, after months of investigation. Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard instructed that he be charged. The charge was laid by Sgt Anderson Parriman. When the matter was called yesterday, Rattiram informed the court that he had been retained to represent Ghouralal.
It was at this point that Wellington made the suggestion, saying: "I think there is something that I should draw to your attention. I think it is my duty to mention it to you. I think you should think about this," Wellington said.Rattiram promised to consider the suggestion. After the hearing, Rattiram, in a brief interview, said he did not know why the magistrate had made the suggestion. He said: "I suspect it may have something to do with the fact that I interview Mrs Indarsingh (Rona) a few weeks ago on my programme, Eye on Crime, but I'm just speculating." The programme is aired on WIN Television. In court yesterday, Ghouralal was again shielded by police officers from media photographers yesterday, just like Monday. A small crowd gathered at the court entrance to catch a glimpse of him, but he emerged from an air-conditioned Amalgamated Prisoner Transport van, around 9.20 am, with a white T-shirt wrapped around his head. Police officers stood guard around the van.
In the courtroom, Ghouralal stared straight ahead at the magistrate and did not look into the public gallery where Daniel's grandparents-Shirley and Randolph Indarsingh-sat. Daniel's mother, Rona, was absent.
Rattiram also raised concerns for his client's safety and requested special transport arrangements for him.
He told Wellington: "Other prisoners who have actually been charged by (Ghouralal) in the line of his duty as a police officer were brought down (in the prisoner's van)...That poses an obvious risk." Wellington noted Rattiram's concerns, but added: "The court is not in charge of prison transport. You should liaise with the Commissioner of Prisons." Rattiram said he hoped the request made before the court would "bear fruit," and if it did not, he would approach the Prisons Commissioner. The lawyer said the defence was ready to proceed with the matter and asked when a state prosecutor would be appointed. But police prosecutor acting Insp Robin Rampersad said he was not sure, since he did not know the status of the prosecution's file.
The matter was adjourned to May 3. Ghouralal is charged with killing Daniel, sometime between February 18 and February 21, this year. Daniel had left his Bedeau Street, Gasparillo, home on February18 to purchase soft drinks at a nearby parlour. He never returned home. His body was found two days later in the distant Tarouba River.