Cpl Junior Bernard and PC Nikita Johnson, who were charged with misbehaviour in public office and perverting the course of justice have reappeared before a Port-of-Spain magistrate. When the matter was called around 9.30 am on Friday in the Port-of-Spain First Court, Bernard, 44, and Johnson, 30, were represented by attorney Celeste St Louis.
Magistrate Marcia Murray heard from Insp Callister Charles that one issue needed to be dealt with before the file could be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard for a state attorney to be appointed. The two previously appeared on July 27 before Magistrate Cheron Raphael and were not called upon to plead. During that appearance, the court was informed that because the defendants are public officers, a state attorney would have to be appointed.
Bernard and Johnson are jointly charged that on varying dates between March 27 and May 12, they attempted to pervert the course of public justice by uttering a false search warrant in the name of another police officer, signed and stamped by Sangre Grande Justice of the Peace David M Tony.
Bernard is also facing two other charges that on February 2 at the Valencia Police Post and on March 28 at Plantation Road, Valencia, he misbehaved in public office by uttering fraudulent search warrants in the names of other police officers, also signed and stamped by Tony. Bernard has 20 years' service while Johnson has two years' service. The matter was later adjourned to December 11 for mention, when disclosure is expected to be made to the defence counsel.