Cop to stand trial for Independence Day slap

AZARD ALI

A POLICEMAN who was charged for slapping a Marabella man back in 2012, was last Thursday committed to stand trial before a judge and jury.

PC Richard Kishore who was last based at Marabella Police Station, was told by senior magistrate Cherril-Ann Antoine in the San Fernando courts, that a prima-facie case had been made out against him. He is alleged to have slapped Terrence Augustine, 40, on August 31, at St Margaret's Junction, Claxton Bay.

The charge of assault stemmed from a brawl among some residents during which there was a verbal confrontation between Kishore, who was on duty, and Augustine. A video was circulated on social media about the actual incident.

Augustine was charged with resisting arrest, using insulting language and assaulting Kishore. The Professional Standards Bureau investigated and PC Kishore was charged with assault.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions discontinued the charges against Augustine. The State's case, prosecuted by attorney Brandon Sookoo, saw 12 witnesses being called and several statements tendered into evidence. Kishore is on $60,000 bail.