Judge-only trial continues virtually

A SOUTH Oropouche man allegedly admitted to police that he had a knife when he and another man went to teach a villager a lesson because the villager “likes to touch boys.”

Under cross examination, Sgt Anthony Baptiste on Wednesday denied that Roger Ragoopath never admitted to robbing Ramesh Mungroo on September 2, 2007, but gave details of an alleged oral utterance the then 15-year-old gave after he was arrested.

Ragoopath, now 28, is before Justice Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds at a judge-alone trial being held virtually. On Monday, the judge said she would consider having an in-person hearing, but permission would have to be sought from the registrar to do so.

On Wednesday, the trial resumed but was held virtually. Ragoopath who is before the judge on an indictment of robbery with violence was at the virtual court facilities at Golden Grove prison in Arouca. A police officer and a marshal of the court were sent there in the event he was to give evidence in his defence.

The prosecution’s only live witness, Sgt Baptiste, testified from the virtual access customer (VAC) centre at Frederick Street, Port of Spain, where a marshal was also present during his testimony.

Baptiste, now assigned to Special Branch, said that in September 2007, he was assigned to the Oropouche police station and responded to a report that a man was seen lying on the road at Steve Solomon Ghany Drive, South Oropouche.

Baptiste was allowed to identify Ragoopath after the judge asked that everyone at all locations remove their masks so the officer could give a description of Ragoopath.

Baptiste said he saw Ragoopath and his mother at the police station where he confronted him with the allegation that he put a knife to Ramesh Mungroo’s neck and, along with another man, robbed him of $40 and two cellphones before running away.

Baptiste claimed Ragoopath said, “Officer, I really had the knife and me and (name called) went to teach Ramesh a lesson because he liked to touch boys and he get he throat cut and we run.”

He also said Mungroo (now deceased) gave him Ragoopath’s name on the night of the incident. Mungroo’s evidence, given at the magistrates’ court, was read into evidence on Monday and his death certificate was tendered into evidence. His death is not related to the alleged offence for which Ragoopath is being tried for.

Baptiste admitted he did not ask for a police photographer to take photos of the crime scene nor did he ask for clothing to test for blood. He also said he looked for a knife but did not find any. The trial continues today. Representing the defence is attorney Renuka Rambhajan while Maria Lyons-Edwards is prosecuting.