The preliminary inquiry into the death of cattle farmer Shafeek Bacchus restarted yesterday and two witnesses were called to testify before Magistrate Adrian Thompson who presides in Court Five at the Georgetown Magistrate's Court.
Thompson took over from Chief Magistrate Juliet Holder-Allen who withdrew from the preliminary inquiry following reports of threats on her life.
Detective, Deputy Superintendent Alfred Paul who is stationed at the Brickdam Police Station was the first witness to give evidence-in-chief. Paul was cross-examined by attorney-at-law Compton Richardson but Vic Puran declined to cross-examine him.
The second witness to be called to the stand was Ewin Trotman, a Detective Constable stationed at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) attached to the Photographic Section.
Trotman failed however to complete his evidence-in-chief because Magistrate Thompson told the court that he was unable to hear any other witnesses since they were other matters which he had to attend. The preliminary inquiry was then adjourned to today.
The PI into the death of the cattle farmer had reached the halfway stage when Holder-Allen withdrew following claims by murdered self-confessed death squad informant George Bacchus, Shafeek's brother, that she was on a hit list.
George was shot dead in his bed last Thursday morning at his Princes Street, Lodge, home.
Holder-Allen's actions reportedly stemmed from a news item aired on VCT Channel 28 on June 16, which mentioned a hit list. Sources say the magistrate then wrote to Chief Justice Carl Singh advising that she had withdrawn from the matter.
The PI into the murder of Shafeek Bacchus began on May 4 before Holder-Allen but it is now being restarted.
Puran is representing Ashton King while Richardson is representing Shawn Hinds. State Counsel Simone Morris is appearing in the capacity of prosecutor.
King, Hinds and Mark Thomas were charged on January 16 with the murder of Shafeek Bacchus on January 5 as he sat outside his Princes Street home. Thomas called 'Kerzorkee' of Auby's Wine Bar died at the Georgetown Hospital in February under mysterious conditions.