By Sue-Ann Wayow
BAIL was granted on Friday to the nine men accused of murdering senior counsel Dana Seetahal, however, this does not mean they are automatically freed.
The matter was heard virtually before Magistrate Kerrianne Byer at the Port of Spain Magistrates’ Court.
That matter was in relation to the gang charges that they face.
They are still awaiting trial for Seetahal’s murder which occurred on May 4, 2014, at around 12.05 am along Hamilton Holder Street, Woodbrook.
They were expected to stand trial in July 2020, but their matters are yet to be called before the Port of Spain High Court.
At the hearing, Byer granted Rajaee Ali bail in the sum of $500,000.
Leston Gonzales, Gareth Wiseman and Kevin Parkinson were also granted bail in the sum of $500,000 each.
Ricardo Stewart and Roget Boucher were granted bail in the sum of $350,000 each.
And Devaughn Cummings, Earn Richards and Hamid Ali were each granted bail of $300,000.
Bail conditions include upon release, they would have to surrender their passports and report daily to the nearest police station in the district they live.
Ali’s brother, Ishmael, was denied bail as the court was unsure of his updated criminal record.
The court will determine his criminal status after background tracing is conducted.
The decision to grant bail was made after arguments were presented by the representing attorneys for the nine men following a Court of Appeal ruling that allows for murder accused who have been remanded in custody to apply for bail.
