Selwyn 'Robocop' Alexis has been freed of yet another charge of kidnapping. This was the third time that Alexis has been acquitted of a kidnapping charge. Yesterday, Alexis, 43, of Enterprise Village, Chaguanas, and two others were discharged by Magistrate Hemraj Harripersad at the Tunapuna Magistrates' Court on charges of kidnapping, robbery, larceny and receiving stolen goods. Alexis was charged jointly with Denzil Collins, 44, of Paradise Heights, Morvant, and Wendell Walker, 34, of Pinto Road, Arima, with kidnapping Imtiaz Khan on June 21, 2009, at Industrial Lane, Mount Hope.
They were also charged with using personal violence on Khan, robbing him of a $500,000 truck and cigarettes valued at $3.5 million, and being in possession of stolen goods. Walker was additionally charged with possession of a Glock pistol and 12 live rounds of ammunition.
Alexis, who had been in custody since his arrest in July 2009, walked out of the courthouse yesterday. The prosecution closed its case yesterday after 12 witnesses had testified at the preliminary inquiry. Wayne Sturge, who represented Alexis and Collins, made a no-case submission.
Attorney Sophia Chote, who appeared for Walker, was absent as she was reported to be out of the country. Sturge said there was no direct evidence to connect the three defendants to the commission of the offences of kidnapping, robbery and larceny. He pointed out that the witnesses had conceded that the three defendants were not the people who committed the robbery. He said from the evidence adduced, the description of the suspects did not match the defendants. Sturge said based on the police testimony, there was no evidence to charge the defendants. Instructions to charge came from senior officers, he added. Magistrate Harripersad ruled right away, saying he agreed with Sturge's submissions. He expressed concern at the haste at which the police arrested the defendants without getting the evidence.
