Trial of cops over APNU protestor shooting adjourned

The trial of Superintendant of Police Errol Watts and Senior Superintendant Linden Alves, charged over the shooting of APNU protesters with rubber bullets last year, has been adjourned to September 20.

The case was called yesterday and the prosecution reported to the court that Alves was absent because he was among the police and officials on a presidential-tour at Linden. Watts, however, was present.

Yesterday was set for Alves to continue giving evidence in the matter. Additionally, Sarah Johnson, one of the complainants in the matter, was also to continue giving her evidence.

After being informed of Alves’ absence, however, attorney Clifton Llewellyn John, who is representing the complaints, requested that Johnson continue her testimony on the adjourned date, when the doctor who examined her injuries is expected to be present to testify.

The defence said that it will make arrangements for Dr. Tavarez, who is attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital, to be present on September 20.

The allegation against the jointly-charged officers is that on December 6, 2011, at Hadfield Street, Georgetown, they unlawfully inflicted grievous bodily harm on former PNCR MP Joan Baveghems, attorney James Bond, Brigadier (re’td) Edward Collins, Sarah Johnson and William Thomas Dalgetty, who were among APNU protestors.

Of the five complainants, only Johnson was present at court yesterday.

On December 6, last, police opened fire with rubber bullets on APNU protesters on Hadfield Street leaving at least five persons with wounds.