THE preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murder charge against ex-policeman Junior McKenzie, for the unlawful killing of mother-of-two Natasha Jerrick also known as Sonia Jerrick or ‘Chooks’, began at Cove and John Court yesterday before Magistrate Brassington Reynolds.

The victim was fatally shot and her body found on a dirt road at Bee Hive, last October 22, after she left home to celebrate her twenty-third birthday.

The accused was originally charged with manslaughter but that was substituted for the capital offence on January 2.

Attorney-at-law Mr James Bovell-Drakes, who is the Special Prosecutor in the case, called two witnesses yesterday, Police Corporal Beverly DeMonick and civilian Hewburn Boucher.

DeMonick has been the Subordinate Officer (SO) in charge of Clonbrook Police Outpost for the past 11 years.

Boucher called ‘Buff’, 31, of Lot 27 Ann’s Grove, also on East Coast Demerara, was cross-examined, too, by Defense Counsel Basil Williams.

During the proceedings, Bovell-Drakes and Williams raised several objections, with the latter complaining that persons present in the courtroom were prompting the witnesses.

“There are people looking out for the family of the deceased and their mission is to prevent justice, Your Worship,” Williams told the magistrate.

Before adjourning to January 29, Mr Reynolds ordered that the Station Diary kept at the Clonbrook Outpost and the arms and ammunition records must be produced at the continuation.

The Court, at the request of Williams, also directed that a copy of the evidence-in-chief given by DeMonick at the aborted PI into the manslaughter charge be made available on the next occasion.

Meanwhile, McKenzie has been remanded to prison.