Two minors were remanded into prison custody yesterday after they appeared in court charged with the unlawful killing of an 11-year-old boy who was shot dead while they were playing with a loaded shotgun. The court appearance of the brothers—ages 13 and 11—took place around the same time of the funeral service of 11-year-old Ruben Reid who was shot dead.
Members of the media were not allowed into the courtroom when the brothers appeared before Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar in the Port-of-Spain Magistrates Court charged with manslaughter and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. They were remanded to the Youth Training Centre, Arouca, until their re-appearance tomorrow when the magistrate will determine if bail would be granted.
Spectators were also blocked from entering the court and only their counsel and immediate family members were allowed to enter. The two boys arrived separately at the court in an unmarked Toyota Corolla and an unmarked Nissan X-Trail around 2 pm. Their upper bodies were concealed with a grey jacket by police officers who escorted them into the court building.
The boys were represented by attorneys Saeed Trotter and Russel Warner. Reid was killed in the hills of Upper Richplain, Diego Martin, last week Thursday. He was shot in the face with a shotgun. The two brothers had been in police custody since the incident occurred. Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard advised police to charge them on Tuesday.
Cpl Courtney Phillips of the Homicide Bureau laid the charges. A man, who is said to be the owner of the shotgun, and is reported to be a relative of the children, remains warded at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. He is under police guard at the hospital. Police said the 48-year-old suspect had “ulcers” and was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. He is expected to be charged with possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition.