Hill Street murder trial Arrest warrants issued for pathologist, sister of deceased
The refusal of Pathologist Dr. Vivekanand Brijmohan to attend court, yesterday stalled the case of Steve Allicock who is currently on trial for the murder of Wendell Tappin.
Justice Navindra Singh, who is hearing the matter at the High Court in Georgetown, has since issued a warrant for the doctor’s arrest. Also, to be arrested to appear in court, is sister of the deceased, Natasha Tappin who is also a witness in the matter.
Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy, had informed the court on Thursday, that after contacting the pathologist, he confirmed his availability to testify yesterday morning at 9.
When the case was called at some minutes to 10, however, Brijmohan and Tappin were still noshows. The judge then stood the matter down for the entire morning session.
When the case was called for continuation in the afternoon, however, Justice Singh informed the court that though police had been dispatched to the residence of both witnesses, they were unsuccessful in their bid to escort them to the court.
The judge said the lawmen reported to him, that after arriving at Dr. Brijmohan’s Berbice residence, they found that the pathologist had “barricaded” himself in his house and refused to come out.
For her part, the Judge said Tappin “disappeared” from her residence after police arrived.
He said the police related to him that after arriving at Tappin’s address, they informed her that she needed to be at court. Thereafter, he said the woman asked the lawmen for some time to prepare, but instead went inside, locked the door and “disappeared” as they waited.
Registering his disappointment, with the conduct displayed by both witnesses, especially Dr. Brijmohan whom he emphasized is employed by the state, Justice Singh expressed anger at having wasted an entire work day.
Further, the judge apologized to the jury for what he said was a waste of their day as well, but noted that the events which unfolded were beyond the court’s control.
The trial judge cautioned that with the issuing of a warrant, both Brijmohan and Tappin can be held in custody once arrested, until they are escorted to court by the police.
After issuing the warrants, Justice Singh adjourned the matter for Monday morning at 9, when both Brijmohan and Tappin are expected to appear. They are the final two of the prosecution’s seven witnesses.
The capital indictment against Allicock, is that on December 31, 2009, at Hill Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, he murdered Tappin, called ‘Keyco,’ who he is accused of knifing to death.
He has pleaded not guilty to the capital indictment against him.
Defence attorney Maxwell Mc Kay, has argued that his client was in Suriname at the time of the killing.
The state, however, contends that he fled to Suriname only after committing the offence.
On Wednesday, father of the deceased, Dan Tappin, refuted the claims advanced by the defence.
He told the court that he was on the scene when the accused, who he has known for more than 20 years, stabbed his son.
Wendell, a father of two, was 23 years old at the time of his death.