The preliminary enquiry into Daniel Guerra's murder, with which PC Darwin Ghouralal is charged, was held in camera yesterday in the interest of national security.Senior Magistrate Rajendra Rambachan cleared the San Fernando Second Magistrates Court and ordered the media not to publish the names of two witnesses at the request of the State.The witnesses are from the Telecommunication Services of T&T and the Cyber Crime Unit.
The request was made by state attorney Sarah de Silva, who held for lead prosecutor, deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Joan Honore-Paul, who is on sick leave.De Silva said she had three statements to file and two witnesses to call but asked for the courtroom to be cleared as a matter of national security and the names of the witnesses not to be published.Under the Preliminary Inquiry Act, the public and the press are allowed to hear all enquiries, except for sexual offences.
The media, however, are not allowed to publish any evidence, only the names of witnesses.The magistrate cleared the courtroom but allowed the media to stay. He ordered that the witnesses' names should not be published, "based on the need to keep the processes private."
Ghouralal is accused of killing Guerra, eight, who went missing on February 19, 2011 after leaving his Bedeau Street, Gasparillo, home to go to a nearby parlour.His body was found two days later floating in the Tarouba River opposite the UTT campus, San Fernando.His interests are being represented by Sophia Chote, SC, and Michelle Solomon.The matter was adjourned to March 13.
