Volney: We can’t protect them all

The State cannot protect all witnesses who may be under threat or at risk. Justice Minister Herbert Volney, in an interview yesterday, instead called on State witnesses to co-operate with various law enforcement bodies and take stock of their lifestyles. “As much as we would like to be able to protect all witnesses who are under threat or who are at risk, it is not possible and as a result we expect that witness would co-operate with law enforcement authorities for their own safety,” Volney urged. His comments came on the heels of the murder of Kevin Ellis who assisted police in identifying the suspects believed to be responsible for the murder of Sean Baptiste who was beaten and left for dead. Baptiste, a construction worker, languished at the San Fernando General Hospital for six days before he was taken off life support on Tuesday after doctors determined he was brain dead.

Ellis, 26, a “PH” driver was shot dead on Tuesday near his home at Montgomery Street, Ste Madeleine. Baptiste, also of Ste Madeleine, was at home when he was beaten unconscious by men carrying rocks and pieces of wood. Volney also was critical of certain lifestyles, which may be deemed reckless, which amounted to witnesses being killed. He added: “If their lifestyles open them to death or injury then there is very little that our protection programme can do to help them. “Lifestyles of some witnesses will definitely open them to destruction,” Volney said. Those witnesses who lived “the life of the underworld” had their killings guaranteed as “underworld figures themselves,” the minister added. “In most cases, the vast majority of these killings of young men, including potential witnesses, are all linked with the underworld life they lead,” Volney noted.