Four months after police held funeral home owner Ashton King and ex-policeman Shawn Hinds for the murder of cattle farmer Shafeek Bacchus, the preliminary inquiry (PI) commenced yesterday with two witnesses taking the stand.
The PI opened before Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen and the two witnesses called to the stand were the sister-in-law of the deceased, Christine Barlow and Detective Deputy Superintendent Alfred Paul.
Barlow gave her evidence in chief and was later cross-examined by defence counsel Compton Richardson who is representing Shawn Hinds.
Attorney-at-law Vic Puran declined to cross-examine Barlow who told the court that she is a businesswoman.
Deputy Superintendent Alfred Paul who is stationed at the Brickdam Police Station then took the stand and testified for over two hours.
He was cross-examined by both lawyers. Paul is to return to court on the next court date with his records.
The hearing is set to continue on May 12.
State counsel Simone Morris is appearing in the capacity of prosecutor.
There was tight security at the court as the defendants, who were escorted by the police, made their way into the police van.
King and Hinds were charged on January 16 along with Mark Thomas with murdering Bacchus on January 5 as he sat outside his Princes Street home.
Thomas of Auby's Wine Bar died at the Georgetown Public Hospital in February under mysterious circumstances.
Bacchus' death sparked controversy after allegations were made of the existence of a death squad.