A veteran police officer has admitted to having unauthorised communication with former businessman Khalid “Uncle Khalid” Mohammed shortly after his wife, Mala Mohammed, was murdered at the Princes Town home, almost 16 years ago.
Inspector Clyde Phillips made the admission while being cross-examined by defence attorney Wayne Sturge before Justice Maria Wilson at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain yesterday.
Phillips stated the meeting occurred shortly after Mohammed, who was abroad at the time of the murder, returned to Trinidad.
He admitted that he did not inform senior investigators of the meeting and did not record the fact that it occurred in a station diary.
However, he repeatedly maintained that his questions to Mohammed were part of his duties as an investigator in the case.
“As a police officer, you are allowed to ask anyone questions once useful information can be obtained,” Phillips said, as he admitted that Mohammed was not being treated as a suspect at the time.
Phillips repeatedly denied Sturge’s claims that he was attempting to extort Mohammed.
“I am not the kind of person who makes a hustle on anybody,” he said.
Pressed on whether he quizzed Mohammed on whether his wife had a life insurance policy, Phillips said yes.
“That information was important,” he said.
During his cross-examination, Phillips was repeatedly questioned over his relationship with Sturge’s client Sheldon Reid.
While Phillips claimed that he met Reid during his work as a police officer, Sturge maintained that Phillips’ son and his clients were friends during their time with the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen.
Phillips, who conducted an interview in which Reid allegedly confessed to participating in the crime, denied knowledge of the alleged friendship as he claimed that his son had only expressed interest in Islam briefly before reverting to Christianity.
Phillips also strongly denied Sturge’s claim that he (Phillips) and Reid had intimate relationships with a pair of sisters.
While Phillips admitted to knowing the women, he denied any romantic connection as alleged.
“I know my wife’s sisters and none of them are named Nicole,” Phillips said.
Swan, 37, and 47-year-old Sheldon Reid, both of Five Rivers, Arouca, are accused of murdering 42-year-old Mala Mohammed on May 10, 2004.
Mohammed had just reversed into her garage when she was shot once in her head and once in her back.
In the case, State prosecutors are relying on a series of interviews with homicide detectives, during which the duo allegedly confessed to participating in the crime.
Reid and Swan are also being represented by Mario Merritt, Alexia Romero, Karunaa Bisramsingh and Roshan Tota-Maharaj.
Joy Balkaran and Candance Nanton are prosecuting for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The trial continues today.