The case against a police officer accused of killing a Sea Lots, Port-of-Spain, woman and her two children last year inched ahead yesterday with the testimony of a police officer.The State is proceeding by way of paper committal and has submitted 24 witness statements. The defence can ask to cross-examine the witnesses.Taking the witness stand yesterday was Sgt Amos Sylvester of the Closed Circuit TV Unit of the Police Service.
State prosecutor Shelly Ann Gajadhar asked the defence for a list of witnesses whom they intended to cross-examine so that judicial time would not be wasted. Gajadhar made the request after Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar said more could have been done yesterday. The hearing lasted only 20 minutes. Defence attorney Joseph Honore acceded to the request before the matter was adjourned to May 7.
PC Sherwin Legere, of Bhagna Trace, Chase Village, is charged with causing the death of Haydee Paul, 28, and her daughters–Akasha, eight, and Shakira, seven–by dangerous driving.The three were killed instantly on February 24, 2013 while walking along the pavement on the southern side of the Beetham Highway, near Pioneer Drive, Sea Lots.Three of their neighbours–Abigail Assing, 31, Ryan Rampersad, 20, and Amanda Lalla, 50– were also seriously injured in the crash.
While Assing and Lalla recovered from their injuries within a couple of months, Rampersad, who was left almost completely paralysed, was only released from hospital on Christmas Eve last year.The 37-year-old officer, who was last assigned to the Guard and Emergency, is also accused of driving dangerously. He is currently suspended from active duty.