$1M bail for slain robber’s alleged accomplice

Trayon Moore, the alleged accomplice in a failed robbery bid that resulted in the death of bandit Randy Morris, was yesterday granted $1M bail after his lawyer expressed concern about his medical condition.

The renewed bail application was made before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, by attorney Latchmie Rahamat, who is representing Moore, in association with attorney Peter Hugh.

Rahamat, during her application to the court, emphasised that her client needed to seek medical attention. She said that Moore, who is an epileptic, had collapsed on two occasions and had been suffering several seizures. In addition, she noted that while in prison he had visible marks of violence about his body, and she complained that he had not been taken to the hospital for medical attention.

When asked whether there were any objections to bail, the prosecution said no but requested that it be set at a substantial sum. At Moore’s arraignment, the prosecution had objected to bail and Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry asked Prosecutor Philip Sheriff what had been the reason for the initial objection. He said that the offence was serious and prevalent, prompting the magistrate to ask if the offence was no longer serious and prevalent.  Sheriff then responded that it still is, but that the prosecution had no objections to bail in light of the defendant’s medical condition, which was highlighted to the court.

The magistrate subsequently set bail, while noting the seriousness and prevalence of the offense, the accused being a flight risk—as he was allegedly fleeing when intercepted by the police—his medical condition, and the fact that the prosecution had no objections to the attorney’s bail application.

The accused was not present at the time the case was called as prisoners were taken to court late yesterday.

Moore’s lawyers had alleged that he was badly beaten by the police before his initial court appearance, prompting the magistrate to order that the allegation be investigated.

Moore, 25, of 11-11 D’Urban Street, Wortmanville, is charged with attempting to commit armed robbery. It is alleged that on June 23, he attempted to rob Bourda Market vendor Nandranie Sookwah.

Moore was first arraigned on June 27 and was remanded to prison. The prosecution’s case is that on the day in question, at about 5 pm, Sookwah was going to her car when Moore approached and snatched her bag, which contained $400,000.

Sheriff said the woman held on to her bag, at which point Moore pulled a gun. He allegedly pointed the gun at Sookwah, then gun-butted her and ordered her to be quiet. As a result, Sookwah lost the bag but an alarm was later raised about the attack and it led to Moore being apprehended on Church Street by police, the prosecutor said.

His accomplice Morris was allegedly fatally shot after a subsequent armed confrontation with police.