The trial of Linden Primo, the man accused of firing a gun during the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) 18th Biennial Congress, began yesterday.
Detective Superinten-dent of Police Michael Kingston took to the stand and testified about visiting the scene subsequent to the report which he received of a shooting incident at Congress Place, Sophia on July 27.
In his evidence-in-chief, Kingston noted that when he arrived at the scene he looked for a spent shell or warhead but found none. He also said that at the time he made efforts to contact General Secretary of the PNCR Oscar Clarke but was unsuccessful.
Attorney Patrice Henry, who is representing Primo, cross-examined the witness briefly.
Kingston is stationed at the Divisional Headquarters at Brickdam and is attached to the Criminal Investigation Department as the officer in charge of all criminal investigations in the region.
Prosecutor Jomo Nichols informed the court that Kingston is the first of the four witnesses that the prosecution intends to call. The others are the virtual complainant Alieshaw Barker, Keisha Sampson and a police corporal.
The trial continues today.
Primo, 54, of 41 Farm Village, Mahaicony, was released on his own recognisance after making his first appearance on a charge of threatening behaviour before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on July 31.
He denied that he used threatening behaviour towards Barker on the last day of the Congress.
According to the prosecution’s case, on the day in question at about 9am, Barker had gone to Congress Place in Sophia for the Biennial Congress. At about 1:15pm, she went to the auditorium door to see a staff member when Primo, who was standing about seven feet away, removed a gun from his pants’ waist and pointed it in her direction. He then allegedly discharged a round. The shooting was reported and Primo was subsequently arrested and charged.
According to the police, Primo is a security guard employed at a mining company. Police Prosecutor Michael Grant at the arraignment had raised no objections to bail but asked that it be set in a substantial sum.
Grant also pointed out that Primo had been nabbed while he was an outgoing passenger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri last Wednesday and he requested that the man’s travel documents be lodged with the police.
The matter is now before Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
