The trial of two men accused of murdering the wife of businessman Khalid “Uncle Khalid” Mohammed had to be adjourned early yesterday as the lead investigator fell ill while presenting his evidence in the case.
Inspector Fitzgerald George had almost completed his testimony before Justice Maria Wilson at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain, yesterday afternoon when he complained that he was experiencing a severe headache.
Although George offered to continue, defence attorney Mario Merritt, who was expected to cross-examine him after State prosecutor Joy Balkaran completed his evidence in chief, suggested an adjournment as he claimed that he wanted him healthy to be able to properly answer his questions.
Wilson also agreed.
During his earlier testimony, George said that his first involvement in the case was on May 10, 2004, when he and his colleagues received the report of Mala Mohammed being shot at her Edward Street, Princes Town, home.
George claimed that when he arrived he saw Mohammed’s body lying in the garage with gunshot wounds to the head and back.
He claimed that he and his colleagues continued their investigation for several months before they eventually arrested Dane Swan and Sheldon Reid.
George claimed that while interrogating Swan, he confessed to his role in the crime. Swan allegedly maintained that he did not shoot Mohammed as his role was to restrain the watchman, who opened the gate when she (Mohammed) arrived home.
George also claimed that Swan took him and other investigators to the scene of the crime and pointed out where he hid, the route he used to run away after the shooting and where he disposed of the clothes that he and his co-accused were wearing.
George is expected to complete his evidence and be cross-exmained when the trial resumes, this morning.
When George completes, State prosecutors will present the evidence of their final two witnesses including Mohammed’s former maid, who was inside the couple’s home when Mohammed was shot dead in the driveway.
Once the State closes its case, the duo will be given an opportunity to either testify in their defence or call their own witnesses before Wilson summarises the case to the jury and allows them to deliberate.
Reid and Swan are also being represented by Wayne Sturge, Alexia Romero, Karunaa Bisramsingh and Roshan Tota-Maharaj. Candance Nanton is appearing alongside Balkaran for the DPP’s Office.