After nine years, 11 magistrates and several State prosecutors, SRP Tynisa Phillip was yesterday found not guilty on a charge of assaulting a man in a wheelchair by beating him.
Phillip, who is on suspension without pay, is now considering her legal options.
The victim Robby Ramcharitar died eight years ago.
The court matters came after a video showed a woman police officer reportedly pushing a man in a wheelchair into oncoming traffic after another police officer, in plain clothes was allegedly seen hitting the man.
The incident took place at High Street, San Fernando on December 27, 2014. It prompted the police to launch an investigation.
Phillip was charged with assault by beating and malicious damage while Constable Roger Rajkumar was charged separately with misbehaviour in public office.
They were both charged by Cpl Lawrence Joefield.
In July 2022 the trial against Phillip commenced before San Fernando Magistrate Natalie Diop, and last November the magistrate dismissed the malicious damage charge due to insufficient evidence.
Following this, Phillip gave evidence in December 2023 about the assault charge, and her attorneys Ainsley Lucky and El Farouk Hosein and the prosecution provided written submissions to the magistrate.
The attorneys said the magistrate based her decision on a point in law. They blamed the State for the delay in the trial and claimed she was only charged because of public pressure.
Speaking with reporters at her attorney’s office in San Fernando, Phillip lamented that since the incident she had to “hustle,” odd jobs, and domestic work, solely on the recommendations of people who knew her, to survive. She said she depended on the kindness of colleagues and her landlord.
“There were days when my kitchen cupboard was empty. I don’t know how I was eating,” Phillip said.
She maintained that she never assaulted Ramcharitar, saying she had given him $20 that same day.
Phillip said she had not yet decided whether or not she would return to the police service.
“The damage already done to my character. No amount of compensation could fix that,” she said.
