One of four men charged with murdering Sgt Hayden Manwaring has complained that he is being beaten and victimised in prison. Kelvin Wallace, 23, made the complaint when he and his co-accused reappeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington in the San Fernando First Court on Monday. “I am being victimised,” complained Wallace. He claimed that a prison officer had placed him in a cell to be beaten by prisoners.
“While they were beating me they tell me this is for Manwaring,” he said. Wellington said if he was telling the truth and the prison officer did facilitate the beating he could sue the State. “That is why you should have a lawyer,” the magistrate said. Wallace further complained: “The prisoners coming against us as if we do something wrong. My life is in jeopardy.” He also claimed that in the cellblock downstairs the courthouse, prisoners “want to chop meh up. Is a mad scene.” Wellington said: “I don’t run the prison, I can’t help you there.”
However, the magistrate instructed court prosecutor Cleyon Seedan to make arrangements to separate the accused men from the other prisoners in cellblock. Wallace, Kerron Nicholas Garcia, 19, Kofi Cropper, 40, and Anthony Clement, 37, are charged with murdering Manwaring, 42, on February 19. Manwaring was shot and killed while trying to apprehend robbery suspects at Butler Street, San Fernando.
The accused are also charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition and robbing three people of cash, jewelry and cellphones at Mom’s Diner at Cipero Street on the same day. Garcia is also charged with stealing Manwaring’s service revolver—a Smith and Wesson pistol with 9mm ammunition—and shooting at PC Nicholas Phillip with intent to do him grievous bodily harm. The four were charged by Insp Seemungal Rampersad of the Homicide Bureau.
Cropper’s attorney, John Heath, expressed concern that it was the third time the matter was called and a State attorney was yet to be appointed. The prosecutor promised to make inquires, saying that normally an expedited file would be sent to the Director of Public Prosecution’s office.
Wellington said the matter has been before the court almost three months now. Heath held for Clement’s attorney Augustus Thomas. Nicholas did not have an attorney. Wallace asked for a legal aid attorney. The magistrate instructed that he be taken to fill out the necessary forms. The matter was adjourned to June 28.
