The prosecution in the trial of John Holder, the policeman who is charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice in the case against attempted murder accused Maryann Daby, was yesterday given a peremptory date to produce its final witnesses or close its case.
Police prosecutor Shellon Daniels had earlier told Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus that there were two witnesses left but they were not present at court. As a result, the peremptory date was given.
This followed the testimony of retired Superintendent Joel David.
In his testimony, David stated that during 2018 he was stationed at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He noted that on October 2nd, 2018 he was instructed to proceed to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where he was contacted by Sergeant Richard Harris.
Harris, who he identified as being the prosecutor in the attempted murder case against Daby, gave him certain instructions. As a result of the instructions he would have received, David said he later placed Holder under close arrest on the allegation that he attempted to pervert the course of Justice in the matter against Daby. David added that he then instructed Sergeant Sewsankar to escort the accused to CID and upon arrival questioned Holder in relation to the allegation. The witness stated that Holder denied the allegation, while stating that he (Holder) was summoned to the office of Gary McAllister on May 14, 2018 and asked to change his story to match that of Christopher Kissoon ( the complainant in the matter against Daby).
David went on to state that Holder mentioned recording McAlister on his phone when he was told to change his statement. To this, David said he summoned Corporal Jordan from the forensic laboratory to have Holders phone analyzed.
According to David, he then summoned McAllister to his office and told him of the allegation Holder had made against him and he (McAllister) denied same. David stated that he then instructed inspector Singh to continue the investigation.
Under cross-examination by attorney Stephen Roberts, the witness stated that he was not aware if a copy of the recording was extracted by the police or if the recording was played for McAllister
When asked if he would have reviewed Holder’s statements or the evidence given in the matter against Daby prior to putting the allegation against him, David stated he did not.
The matter was later adjourned until August 2nd.
The proceedings against Daby are set to continue before Magistrate Leron Daly on July 16th.
