A police officer, accused of beating a man to death while arresting him for allegedly using obscene language a little over two decades ago, will face trial for manslaughter in July.
High Court Judge Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds set the trial date for PC Michael Morris during a virtual hearing, yesterday morning.
Noting that Morris has been on suspension since being charged with the crime in 2003, Justice Ramsumair-Hinds suggested that his case should be prioritised.
Justice Ramsumair-Hinds said: “We really need to give this case a degree of priority.”
Morris is accused of unlawfully killing 23-year-old Shaun McLeod on September 5, 2003.
McLeod, a father of one from South Oropouche, was pronounced dead on arrival at the San Fernando General Hospital shortly after being detained at Library Corner in San Fernando.
An autopsy at the Forensic Science Centre in St James revealed that McLeod died from blunt force trauma to his head and brain haemorrhaging.
Morris, who was 26 years old at the time and had a little over five years of service, was released on $200,000 bail after being charged.
He attended yesterday’s hearing from the office of his attorney Michelle Ali, of the Public Defenders’ Department (PDD).
Ali indicated that although she was assigned the case almost a month ago, she was ready to proceed with the trial which will take place at the O’Meara Judicial Centre in Arima.
She noted that Morris wanted to be tried by a judge and jury and not have a judge-alone trial.
State prosecutor Charmaine Samuel indicated that she intends to present the evidence of 15 witnesses. The case is expected to come up for hearing on July 1, when Justice Ramsumair-Hinds will oversee jury selection for the trial.
Morris is also being represented by Michael Modeste.