Two police officers implicated in the shooting death of UG student Yohance Douglas were yesterday brought before the court charged with murder.
One of the ranks faced an additional charge of attempting to murder another teenager who was riding in the car on Sheriff st when it came under fire from a police patrol on March 1.
Despite the widespread publicity over the shootings, only a small crowd gathered in the courtyard yesterday to get a glimpse of the officers.
Mahendra Baijnauth and Gerald Alonzo, both members of the police force, appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen accused of the unlawful murder of Yohance Douglas.
Baijnauth was also charged with attempting to commit murder. He is accused of discharging a loaded firearm with intent to murder Ronson Grey.
The 27-year-old Baijnauth who comes from La Bonne Intention (LBI) and 28-year-old Alonzo of Wismar, Linden, were not required to plead to the indictable charges.
Alonzo is represented by attorney-at-law, Compton Richardson while Baijnauth has retained attorney-at-law Hookumchand. The duo showed little emotion when the charges were read to them.
Alonzo, dressed in light green jeans and a blue and grey jersey, and Baijnauth, dressed in light green slacks and a light green jersey, walked into an almost empty courtroom followed by a number of their colleagues, most of whom were in plain clothes.
The two did not go through the passage from below the court when entering but did return to the court lock-ups through what is known as the 'chute.'
Alonzo made it to the chute door in a matter of seconds and was seen opening it to let himself through, Baijnauth took some time as he was seen handing over a cellular phone and other items to his lawyer.
The two return to court on April 1 for the preliminary inquiry. (Iana Seales)