3 in court for South, Central murders

THREE people have appeared before masters of the High Court after being charged by the Homicide Bureau of Investigations (HBI) Region Three for separate murders.

In the first matter, a police release said Fidel Mc Lean, 28, a labourer of Princes Town, appeared before Master Gray at the South Court 'B', on September 5, charged with the August 24 murder of Shewayne Balkaran. The sufficiency hearing date has been set for June 26, 2026.

Balkaran was found with a stab wound to the neck in Princes Town following an alleged argument with two men earlier in the day. One male suspect was arrested.

Mc Lean was charged with the offence by Cpl Griffith on September 4 following advice received from the acting Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Sabrina Dougdeen-Jaglal.

In the second matter, Peter Mc Intosh, 49, of Cedros, appeared before Master Ambrose-Persadsingh, at the South Court ‘A’, on September 8, charged with the August 22 murder of Edwin Williams. The matter was adjourned to December 12.

Williams was found dead with stab wounds at the Old Clifton Hill Beach Facility, following an alleged altercation. One male suspect was subsequently arrested.

Mc Intosh, was charged with the offence by PC Noel on September 7, following advice received from Dougdeen-Jaglal on September 5.

In the final matter, Shannon Jaggan, 43, appeared before Master Liebert, in the North Court ‘C’, last week, charged with the August 14 murder of Ravi Pandohie. The sufficiency hearing date has been set for May 1st, 2026.

Pandohie was at his Central home on August 10 when a man allegedly entered and assaulted him with a piece of wood. The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment but succumbed to his injuries on August 14.

One man was arrested in connection with the matter on September 2. Jaggan was charged with the offence on September 4 by WPC Nestor, of the Chaguanas CID, following advice received from Dougdeen-Jaglal, on that same date.

All the above investigations were spearheaded by Supt Steve Persad and supervised by ASP Maharaj of HBI Region Three.