Prisons Commissioner Martin Martinez made special arrangements Tuesday for housing seven police officers at the Remand Section of the Golden Grove Prison in Arouca.
The officers - six men and one woman - have been charged with the murder of three people in Moruga. They appeared in court in Port of Spain Tuesday and are to return to court in Princes Town on November to answer the charges.
The officers - six men and one woman - have been charged with the murder of three people in Moruga. They appeared in court in Port of Spain Tuesday and are to return to court in Princes Town on November to answer the charges.
Martinez said he made the decision to give special consideration to the officers to ensure their safety. "They are our brothers, and they are innocent until proven guilty," he said.
The Express newspaper reported that it has been reliably informed that each cell is said to be furnished with toilet and bath facilities.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard is the prosecutor in the case against the police officers who are accused of shooting to death Abigail Johnson, Allana Duncan and Kerron "Fingers" Eccles at Poui Trace and Rochard Road, on July 22.
Israel Khan, representing some of the officers, asked the court to expedite the matter.
"This is the first time in the history of Trinidad and Tobago that seven police officers are facing 21 murder charges. These matters should be given precedence over all other murder enquiries. These officers are serving members of the Police Service, and this happened when they were protecting and serving members of the public," Khan told the magistrate.
However Gaspard challenged Khan's submissions about the 21 charges of murder. "I do not know where you got that information, but they are facing three murder charges. They were all jointly charged with murdering three people," Gaspard said.
Khan also made the point that the mass media exposure on the case has made it difficult for the officers to get a fair trial.
"When you listen to these radio stations and talk shows, and look at Facebook, people are already saying they would not be satisfied until the death penalty is imposed. I would ask that the press not sensationalise its reporting and, therefore, prejudice the matters against these officers," Khan said.
Gaspard promised that if the media are out of line he would issue the necessary advice to ensure that the accused officers are not prejudiced.
"I am the lead prosecutor in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and I am here to ensure that these accused are given a fair enquiry," he said.
The Express newspaper reported that it has been reliably informed that each cell is said to be furnished with toilet and bath facilities.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard is the prosecutor in the case against the police officers who are accused of shooting to death Abigail Johnson, Allana Duncan and Kerron "Fingers" Eccles at Poui Trace and Rochard Road, on July 22.
Israel Khan, representing some of the officers, asked the court to expedite the matter.
"This is the first time in the history of Trinidad and Tobago that seven police officers are facing 21 murder charges. These matters should be given precedence over all other murder enquiries. These officers are serving members of the Police Service, and this happened when they were protecting and serving members of the public," Khan told the magistrate.
However Gaspard challenged Khan's submissions about the 21 charges of murder. "I do not know where you got that information, but they are facing three murder charges. They were all jointly charged with murdering three people," Gaspard said.
Khan also made the point that the mass media exposure on the case has made it difficult for the officers to get a fair trial.
"When you listen to these radio stations and talk shows, and look at Facebook, people are already saying they would not be satisfied until the death penalty is imposed. I would ask that the press not sensationalise its reporting and, therefore, prejudice the matters against these officers," Khan said.
Gaspard promised that if the media are out of line he would issue the necessary advice to ensure that the accused officers are not prejudiced.
"I am the lead prosecutor in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and I am here to ensure that these accused are given a fair enquiry," he said.
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