A man was yesterday charged over the fatal stabbing of a former football player, who addressed him using a gay slur.
It is the police’s case that on Wednesday, September 4, taxi-driver Kurt Clarke stabbed Jamal Fernandes, called ‘Gaga,’ of Lot 14 West La Penitence, Housing Scheme, after Fernandes addressed him by a gay slur.
Fernandes was stabbed several times after arguing with Clarke, as he was making his
way from the Baroombar club on North Road.
Clarke, of Lot 1159 Pigeon Place, South Ruimveldt, was not required to plead to the capital charge, after it was read by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Police Prosecutor Corporal Bharrat Mangru told the court that Fernandes was standing at North Road in the company of two females, when Clarke called one of the females “sexy.”
He said Fernandes in turn addressed Clarke by the slur and an argument ensued between the two. Clarke then stabbed Fernandes five times in the chest area and the wounded man died on the way to the hospital, Prosecutor Mangru said.
Defence counsel Peter Hugh, who represented Clarke, told the court that his client is fearful for his life. “Since this incident, Your Worship, my client has received several threats as to what will happen to him if or when he goes to Camp Street Jail,” the lawyer claimed.
Hugh also inquired about his client’s motor vehicle, which was impounded by the police and is at the Alberttown Police Station. He was informed by Magistrate Sewnarine-Beharry that Prosecutor Mangru will look into the matter of the confiscated vehicle and he will be updated at the next court hearing. Clarke was then remanded to prison until September 20.
