(Trinidad Express) Police Constable Sherwin Legere was unable to access the TT$250,000 bail granted to him by a Port of Spain magistrate yesterday for causing the deaths of three people by dangerous driving.
Legere, 37, was granted bail just after 1 p.m. by Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar. However, up to 5.14 p.m., he was unable to secure the bail and had to be taken to prison where he will spend the weekend.
Legere, a policeman for the past 15 years, was charged with three offences of causing death by dangerous driving to Haydee Paul and her daughters, Akasha, eight and Shakira, seven.
The three were struck and killed while walking along a pavement on Beetham Highway, Port of Spain, on the morning of February 24.
Legere, of Bagna Trace, Chase Village, Chaguanas, also faced a fourth charge alleging that he “drove motor vehicle PCT 3096, in a manner which was dangerous to the public having regard to all the circumstances of the case”.
For the three charges of causing death by dangerous driving, Legere was not called upon to plead as the charges were laid indictably, while he pleaded not guilty to the other charge.
As the charges were read, Legere, whose face appeared swollen, stood in the prisoner’s dock with his arms firmly at his side.
Members of the media were informed that he was ushered into the courthouse through the entrance reserved for magistrates. Other reports indicated that he was brought to the courthouse as early as 7 a.m. and allowed to wait until court staff had arrived at work.
When the matter was first called around 11.40 a.m. Legere was un-represented and the matter was stood down until 1 p.m. After finding a court to hear the matter, it was called before the Chief Magistrate just after 1 p.m. and this time Legere’s father, Inspector Winston Legere, eight representatives of the Paul family and Legere’s attorney Larry Williams were present.
Court prosecutor acting Inspector Callister Charles told Ayers-Caesar that Legere was a police officer and as such the matter must go to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a State attorney to be appointed.
Charles added that the police had no objections to him being granted bail, but certain conditions should be placed on it.
Williams, during his bail application, informed the court that his client, having allegedly committed the act on February 24, had ample time to flee the country but did not.
He said that should have some weight in the court’s decision to grant bail. He added that his client had no pending or previous matters and if granted bail would make himself available. Williams also requested that Legere’s father be made to stand as his bailor.
Ayers-Caesar, in granting bail, ordered that Legere surrender his passport and report to the Second Division officer in charge of Freeport Police Station every Thursday.
She then adjourned the matter to May 22.
