(Trinidad Guardian) Three men accused of murdering Special Reserve Police officer Richard Babwah and robbing the owner of a Chinese restaurant appeared in court jointly charged with the crimes yesterday.
Keane Osei Simmons, 25, a father of a six-year-old, Shawn Scott, 34 and Shurland Jones, all of Maloney, appeared Magistrate Debby-Ann Bassaw-Nancoo in the Arima Second Magistrate’s Court charged with murder, robbery with aggravation, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.
The charges were laid by Insp Shawn Gregg of the Homicide Bureau Region II Arouca.
Simmons was represented by attorney Clement Daniel, Scott by Ronald Daniels and Jones by Lasana Murray.
Magistrate Bassaw-Nancoo read the charges that the trio, on December 11, allegedly shot and killed Babwah during at attempted robbery at Long Yuan Restaurant along the Eastern Main Road, Arouca, robbed the owner of $2,500 in cash and were in possession illegal firearms and ammunition during the incident. The trio were not called upon to plead as the charges were laid indictably
The three, dressed in jerseys and three quarter pants, stood in the docks with blank looks on their faces as the charges were read.
Court prosecutor Ag Sgt Ramai requested added strength to ensure security was maintained.
Bassaw-Nancoo then remanded the trio to the prison at Golden Grove to return on January 16.
Babwah, 40, who was attached to Homicide Bureau Region II, Arouca, was shot by two bandits as he attempted to foil a robbery at Long Yuan Restaurant on December 11. It was reported that he had just got off duty at the Arouca Police Station and went to the restaurant to get dinner for his family, when the bandits entered and announced a hold-up. Babwah drew his service revolver but the safety lock was on. He was shot several times but managed to wound one of the bandits. The men escaped in a waiting car. One of the bandits was arrested after he sought medical attention while the other two were held in Maloney.
