The trial of two brothers accused of beating a man to death in a bar brawl in 2006 took a surprising turn yesterday when it was revealed that the police officer who charged them is now married to one of their former girlfriends.
The “love triangle” between murder accused Matthew Powder, his former girlfriend and her current husband, Sgt Trevelle Petti, was raised by Powder’s defence attorney Mario Merritt in the Port-of-Spain Sixth Criminal Court.
Although it is the State’s case that he (Powder) committed the crime to defend her honour, Petti wife’s name was withheld as she is not a witness in the case.
“You must be aware that Petti married Matthew Powder’s girlfriend when he (Powder) went to jail,” Merritt told acting Cpl Paul Joseph, Petti’s colleague who assisted him in the investigation.
Clearly startled by the statement, which was raised in the midst of a series of generic questions on the process he used to secure the crime scene, Joseph paused and then denied any knowledge of it.
“I don’t know about his personal life. I don’t have any friends in this job,” Joseph said.
Merritt’s question also drew the attention of presiding Judge Althea Alexis-Windsor, who immediately paused the hearing and held a brief meeting with prosecutors and defence attorneys. Although she allowed Merritt to continue without withdrawing the question, he did not persist with the topic afterwards.
Powder and his younger brother, Sherwin, both of Windy Hill, Arouca, are charged with murdering 18-year-old Ryan Samuel during a fight outside La Luna Bar, Eastern Main Road, Arouca, on September 15, 2006. Samuel suffered serious head injuries and died two days later at hospital.
Also testifying yesterday was Sgt Matthew Harewood who arrested Matthew Powder shortly after the incident. Harewood, who admitted he knew Powder from before, said that within minutes of arriving on the crime scene he received information that the description of the suspect matched Powder.
He said while on his way to Powder’s home he saw him walking along the road. Powder attempted to run away but was eventually detained. Upon his arrest, Powder is alleged to have confessed to committing the crime to Harewood. “Officer, me ain’t care about he (Samuel). He disrespect my girl and I beat him real bad,” Powder reportedly told Harewood. Harewood also claimed that Powder had bruises to his face, which he admitted he sustained in the fight.
“The man hit me some lash too,” Powder allegedly told police.
Powder is also being represented by Vince Charles and Alexia Romero while his brother is being represented by Michelle Solomon-Baksh and Trevor Clarke Jr while Sabrina Dougdeen-Jaglal is prosecuting.
Harewood will be cross-examined by Merritt when the trial resumes today. Petti is expected to testify after.