A soldier who was detained at Sangre Grande Police Station after he allegedly shot two people, including a two-year-old girl, appeared in court yesterday charged with wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
Police said this is because no charge has yet been laid for the accidental shooting death of the child, Soriah Martin, as investigating officers are waiting on instructions from the Director of Public Prosecution.
Keros Martin, 29, of Jacelon Trace, Vega de Oropouche, Toco, appeared before Senior Magistrate Debra Quintyne in the Sangre Grande First Magistrate Court.
The charge was laid by Insp Ken Lutchman of the Crime Investigation Department, Sangre Grande.
Martin was represented by attorney Don Lezama, who pleaded with Quintyne to grant bail for his client on grounds he has a clean police record and it was his first criminal offence, which was accepted.
Quintyne read the charge that on December 12 Martin allegedly shot Gregory Harracksingh at his Sangre Grande home, wounding him on his right arm.
The 29 -year-old, who is a Lance Corporal with T&T Defence Force with 12 years service and was last attached to the Special Forces at Teteron Barrracks, Chaguaramas, was not called upon to plead as the charge was laid indictably.
Martin was later granted $75,000 bail on condition he must not have any conversation with the victim, stay a quarter mile from the victim and must surrender his passport.
The matter was adjourned to January 4, 2018.
Martin’s mother and Lieutenant Wiggins of T&T Defence Force. were present in court.
RALPH BANWARIE