Senior reporter
derek.achong@guardian.co.tt
Four men from Princes Town will face a trial for murdering a construction worker and attempting to murder his female friend almost eight years ago.
Seon Hernandez, Zibeon Adams, Deon Lewis and Robby Khadoo were committed to stand trial at the end of the preliminary inquiry before Senior Magistrate Indira Misir-Gosine in the Princes Town Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
After considering the evidence presented by prosecutors before her, Magistrate Misir-Gosine ruled that a prima facie case had been made out against the men.
Although preliminary inquiries were abolished and replaced with sufficiency hearings before a High Court Master with the proclamation of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act 2011, the group’s case went through the previous process, as it began before the change took effect in December last year.
The men are accused of the murder of Jeremy Guerra and the attempted murder of his then 20-year-old friend Tia James.
Guerra and James were at his Iere Village Main Road, Princes Town home around 10.30 pm on January 18, 2016, when he was called outside by a group of men.
There was an argument between the men and Guerra, which ended in them shooting him several times.
James reportedly rushed to Guerra’s assistance but was shot in her stomach, chest and shoulder as she sought to tussle with one of her friend’s attackers.
The men then escaped in a waiting vehicle. James was taken to the San Fernando General Hospital and was warded for several days before being discharged.
During the inquiry, prosecutors alleged that Adams, Khandoo and Lewis attacked the duo, while Hernandez allegedly served as the getaway driver.
Indictments will now have to be filed against the group in the High Court for their matter to join the queue of cases awaiting trial.
The men were represented by Akini Cobbler, Jared Ramsaran, Arron Smith and Roshan Tota-Maharaj. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was represented by Esther Gaston.
