The trial of Cadet Officer Franz Paul, who is charged with shooting 15-year-old Alex Griffith in the mouth during a game of Russian roulette, was yesterday adjourned once again after the accused’s lawyer was absent.
Attorney Roger Yearwood was absent from yesterday’s hearing at Georgetown Magistrates’ Court Five, where Magistrate Fabayo Azore was told that the attorney’s mother is ill.
When the matter was called, Paul conveyed his attorney’s message to the court that his mother is ill and requested an adjournment.
Magistrate Azore granted the adjournment to January 21 but warned that the court will proceed on the next occasion, whether counsel is present or not. She noted that it was the second time the trial was being adjourned at the request of the defence. She noted too that the complainant is still at school and the court intends to expedite his trial to ensure minimum disruptions in his attendance.
Two witnesses, including Griffith, have taken the stand so far during the trial, which commenced in September of last year. Approximately 10 witnesses are still to testify.
Paul is charged with discharging a loaded firearm at the teen with intent to maim, disfigure or cause bodily harm. He was also charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm on him. He was initially remanded on those charges but later succeeded in securing bail in the High Court.
He was also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice along with Corporal Bachan Singh.
The accused had denied all the charges at his arraignment on June 9, last year. A separate trial is being conducted regarding the charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
At the time of the alleged crimes, Paul was said to have been personally investigating a robbery committed on his sister. Griffith, who the police believed was a witness to the robbery, was picked up for questioning.
The teenager had told Stabroek News that he had been at a friend’s home when a robbery occurred outside. Though he had been unable to see what had transpired, he said two van-loads of policemen later went to his East La Penitence Squatting area home to question him about the identities of the robbers. He said he told the ranks that he was unaware of the robbers’ identities but was still taken from his home, placed in one of the vehicles and driven around the area. He said the vehicle eventually stopped in front of the home of one of the suspected robbers in the East La Penitence area.
However, the person was not at home. He alleged that Paul forced him from the police vehicle and ordered him to lie on the ground, where in an effort to glean information, he played Russian roulette. Griffith was shot in the mouth and subsequently dropped off at the hospital by the police ranks, who left shortly afterwards.
