Under heavy police guard, Solomon Blackman appeared in the Chief Magistrate's Court yesterday afternoon to face charges of murder and attempted murder.
The assailant is accused of killing two policemen and wounding two others at the Brickdam Police Station on Monday.
Blackman, 34, of 34 Bent Street, Wortmanville arrived at court wearing a green shirt and just a pair of boxer shorts. He was supported by his brother since he could not use his right leg properly and it was heavily bandaged around the thigh and below the knee.
Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen read out the two capital charges of murder and two other charges of attempting to commit murder.
All relate to the shooting spree at Brickdam on March 1. It is said he unlawfully killed Superintendent Richard Griffith and Lance Corporal Ramnarine Latchana. He is also charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding Corporal Clifton Nelson and Constable Kester Cosbert with intent to commit murder.
He will remain remanded before his next court date on April 16.
Blackman had lost most of the animation he exhibited on Monday in court prior to the Brickdam rampage. Sitting in the dock yesterday he showed little emotion, staring at the court desk in front of him. As the charges were read out the Chief Magistrate had to order police to remove his handcuffs whilst he was in the dock. "Whether you like it or not they have to be taken off," she said.
Representing Blackman yesterday was attorney-at-law Mortimer Codette. The lawyer said he had visited the accused yesterday morning. He said that his client was rambling to him and had also mentioned that he had no feeling in his foot. Codette said that Blackman was on drugs to treat psychosis. He said it needed to be told that Blackman was not in a good mental state and that he needed psychiatric treatment. He suggested an independent assessment was needed.
Holder-Allen pointed out that it would not be possible for the defendant to undergo trial with his current injuries.
When Blackman arrived at the court he was surrounded by armed police officers wearing protective gear. He was greeted at the court by a crowd surrounding the entrance which mainly consisted of the press. He also spoke to his father with the two having a quiet conversation before Blackman was lifted out of the vehicle.
Back in the van after the hearing, four policemen got in with him, three of them armed, and the accused left in the direction of Brickdam police station.
Blackman is a former sergeant in the Tactical Services Unit (TSU). (James Hill)