By Chantalé Fletcher
A BELMONT man is the first murder accused to be granted bail in Trinidad and Tobago.
On Friday, Joel King, 30, was granted bail in the sum of $1.5 million with a surety and or a cash alternative of $575,000 by Master of the High Court Nalini Singh.
He is accused of killing Nkosi Harricharan at Hermitage Road Belmont. He was charged for the offence on July 28, 2014.
The decision to grant bail comes after a Court of Appeal ruling on the constitutionality of precluding judicial officers from considering bail murder accused.
Master said her decision was based King’s character, antecedence, associations and social ties, and on the prosecution’s failure to prove that he would run away if granted bail.
The master attached 21 conditions to the bail.
They included:
- The accused must report to and sign in at the Belmont Police Station twice every day between 6 am and 9am and 4 pm and 5 pm, commencing immediately upon his release from custody;
- He was also required to keep a book which contains a stamp and signature emanating from the Belmont Police Station which evidences these daily visits and shall produce the same upon request by any judicial officer;
- King was required to reside with his mother until the final determination of this matter and remain daily between 6 am and 6 pm except for medical emergencies involving himself and only after having first notified the Belmont Police Station shall he leave the premises to seek medical attention;
- He was also barred from operating a licenced or PH taxi, visiting a bar or restaurant selling alcohol and from attending parties;
- King has to remain in the island of Trinidad until the final determination of the matter which forms the basis of this application.
- He was also banned from applying for a passport or driver’s licence while on bail.
Master Singh said a breach of any of the terms shall result in the immediate revocation of bail.
In addition, copies of the Bail Order would be served on the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector in charge of the Belmont Police Station, the Chief Immigration Officer, the Chief Licensing Officer, the Director of Public Prosecutions and defence counsel.
King was represented by attorneys Larry Williams and Toni Roberts while Veonna Neale-Munroe and Chanelle Moe appeared for the State.
