(Trinidad Express) Multiple charges of murder and that of causing grievous bodily harm were on Wednesday read to the man accused of setting a Laventille apartment on fire which resulted in the deaths of four people, including a ten-month-old baby and two-year-old child.

Peter Hyde

Earlier in the day, there was a tense atmosphere outside the Port of Spain Magistrates’ Court as several members of the public gathered along the roadway and spoke of the tragic incident, hoping to catch a glimpse of the accused.

No one from Trou Macaque, Laventille, where the tragedy occurred, was present.

Media workers adjusted their cameras and positioned themselves close to the prisoner’s entrance on St Vincent Street in anticipation of capturing the image of 39-year-old Peter Hyde upon his arrival.
Then came the news from Court and Process Branch officers: Homicide detectives had taken Hyde to the holding cells downstairs the courthouse since 7 a.m.

The reason for this, they said, was because of the number of charges laid against him and the time it would take in order to have him processed, coupled with the shortage of staff at the court.

Shortly after 10 a.m., officers escorted the accused into the prisoner’s dock of the Eighth Court. Hyde sat and stared directly ahead. Everyone else stared at him. Police officers and several other court workers within the room whispered among themselves.

Seconds later, Acting Chief Magistrate Rajendra Rambachan arrived. Hype rose to his feet. Asked if he had an attorney, he replied “no”. Hyde said he could not afford one and, as such, would be seeking Legal Aid representation.

Then came the reading of the charges. Hyde is accused of murdering Akeem Young, 15; ten-month-old Destiny Lara; Deniecia Campbell, two; and Lisa Charles, 46, at Trou Macaque, Laventille, after allegedly setting their apartment on fire on the morning of December 20.

Additionally, he is facing eight charges of committing the act of grievous bodily harm against Josiah Charles, Beverly Young, his brothers Nigel and Curtis Hyde, Felicia Young, Deneisha Young, Ashton Young and Kadeem Johnson.

Hyde was visibly trembling throughout his court appearance.

He said he was also making an application for disclosure in the matters, including any medical certificates obtained by the alleged victims outlining their injuries.

Rambachan informed him that full disclosure would be made available either to him or his attorney should one be obtained.

The magistrate said despite the charges of grievous bodily harm being bailable offences, bail would not be considered given the murder charges, which were unbailable.

Police prosecutor Sgt Ricky Lochan informed the court that the relevant files had to be sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in order to have a State attorney appointed.

Charles and Young died when they jumped from the burning building while Lara and Campbell died in the inferno.