2010 faeces attack on Freddie Kissoon trial … Cop testifies to taking statement from defendants

Mar 25, 2017 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....ent-from-defendants/

Police Inspector Devon Lowe, a detective attached to the Major Crimes Investigation Unit, was called to testify yesterday when the trial of Jason Abdulla, Shawn Hinds and Kwame McCoy continued in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The trio is accused of throwing fecal matter into the face of newspaper columnist, Frederick Kissoon, when he emerged from Nigel’s Supermarket, on Robb Street, Georgetown. This occurred on May 24, 2010.

It was reported that the men walked up to the newspaper columnist’s vehicle and threw the substance on him.

Based on reports, after the attack Kissoon managed to drive behind the perpetrators who reportedly ran north along Light Street then west into North Road, before entering a waiting motorcar. Kissoon reportedly tried to intercept the motorcar but backed off to avoid a collision.

The trio has been charged with assaulting Kissoon and has been each released on $100,000 bail.

Guided by Police Prosecutor Kevin London, Inspector Lowe testified to taking statements from Shawn Hinds and Jason Abdulla at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary Georgetown. The police witness also testified that he made an entry in the CID station diary and showed it to Hinds, who said it was correct. Inspector Lowe said that Hinds then affixed his signature to the entry.

According to the Police Inspector, the said station diary was also shown to Abdulla for him to read an entry. Inspector Lowe said that the defendant looked at the entry as though he was reading it and replied “yes”, but refused to sign.

“I made a record of the number two defendant’s (Abdulla) refusal after which Inspector Singh and I signed that entry.” Inspector Lowe made it clear that he used no forms of violence, threats or inducement to obtain the statements from the defendants.

Earlier on in the trial, Police Constable Keron Pickering, a detective also attached to the Major Crimes Investigations Unit, denied placing a black bag over the head of Abdulla while he was in custody at CID.

Police Lance Corporal Kerry Joseph had also denied being in the company of anyone who threw faeces on Kissoon. He said that he did not transport anyone who tossed the substance at the columnist.

According to this witness, some time after the incident he was contacted by Police Inspector Elexy, whom he said, put an allegation to him.

However, he disclosed that he was never charged in relation to the matter. This trial is ongoing before Magistrate Judy Latchman.