Man sentenced to 16 years for cop’s murder in Chaguanas

A PORT OF SPAIN MAN was last week sentenced to 16 years in prison for the murder of an off-duty policeman who was shot in a botched robbery at a bar in May 2024.

Ishmael “Smokey” Clarke, 25, also known as Meshack Marcus, of Nelson Street, was charged with the murder of PC Dale Mayers, fondly called Rug Rat.

Clarke pleaded guilty in the Port of Spain High Court before Justice Mauriceia Joseph.

He was also charged with the possession of a gun and ammunition.

Sgt Bridgemohan of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region Three, laid the charges.

On December 16, the judge passed the sentence for the murder, as well as seven years each for the possession of the gun and ammunition. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning he would serve 16 years with hard labour to cover the three charges.

The off-duty policeman was shot while liming at a bar along the Montrose Main Road, Chaguanas, on May 13, 2024.

Mayers, 52, was last posted at the Arima Police Station and lived at River Road, Arima.

He was also a drag-race enthusiast.

The state contended that while with other patrons, a gunman entered the premises and announced a hold-up.

Police reports said there was an exchange of gunfire, wounding both Mayers and the gunman.

The gunman fled in an SUV while Mayers was rushed to the Chaguanas Health Facility, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Police later arrested Clarke, who was dropped off at the Port of Spain General Hospital seeking treatment for gunshot wounds.