By AZARD ALI Wednesday, December 2 2009

A CONSTITUTIONAL motion filed on behalf of two policemen prevented their trial from starting in the San Fernando High Court for facilitating the escape of convicted drug dealer Deochan Ramdhanie from the Princes Town magistrates’ court.

Justice Herbert Volney selected a nine-member jury to try Sgt Conrad Farrel and PC Sheldon Callender, but could not proceed with the case except to ask the two cops to plead their guilt, or innocence.

Ramdhanie escaped from the court on September 18, 1988, but was captured in Tucupita, Venezuela, a week later.

A Commission of inquiry into the escape was held and Justice Zainool Hosein recommended that charges be laid against certain police officers.

The first charge read to Farrel yesterday alleged that with intent to pervert the course of public justice, he caused false information to be recorded in the Princes Town station diary concerning Ramdhanie’s escape.

That on that same date while performing duties, he misbehaved himself while acting in such office as a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Police service.

Farrel and Callender stood in the dock as the charges were read, the first against Callender alleging that on that same day he perverted the course of public justice in that he requested PC Patrick Mohammed to give false information concerning the escape of Ramdhanie. The charges were read after Volney selected a jury of nine members.

However, when asked by the clerk how they pleaded, attorney Wilston Campbell told Volney that he wanted the proceedings stayed.

Volney said that he must record the accused policemen plea, but the attorney insisted that the constitutional motion filed was aimed at quashing the indictment.

Therefore, Campbell said, he has instructed Farrel whom he represented, not to plead.

Campbell is instructed by attorney Zenobia Campbell-James, led by Senior Counsel Desmond Allum.

On Friday, Volney will begin hearing the motion in the absence of the jury.