An alleged gang leader from Laventille was found not guilty of shooting a T&T Defence Force intelligence officer during an incident in 2002.
A nine-member jury in the Port-of-Spain High Court deliberated for a little over two and a half hours before they returned with the unanimous verdict in favour of Anthon “Boombie” Boney, of John John, Laventille.
Despite the legal victory, Boney did not leave the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain to greet his relatives, as he was immediately placed back in handcuffs and transported to prison, where he is currently on remand for a series of pending charges for gang-related activity and attempted murder.
During his trial before Justice Hayden St Clair-Douglas, the alleged victim, a retired corporal, testified that on September 3, 2002, he was involved in a joint army and police anti-crime exercise designated “Operation Anaconda.”
The officer, whose name was withheld in the trial to protect his identity, said that while performing undercover surveillance at the John John Recreation Ground he was confronted by a gun-wielding Boney.
He claimed that he drew his service pistol and a shootout ensued in which both he and Boney were wounded in the crossfire.
The officer managed to scamper to a nearby police post and was taken to hospital. Shortly after arriving at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, the officer and his colleagues allegedly found Boney lying on a stretcher waiting to be admitted.
He was placed under police guard and was subsequently charged with shooting the officer with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm upon his release from the hospital.
After prosecutor Nigel Pilgrim closed the state’s case in the month-long trial, Boney opted to enter the witness box to testify in his defence.
Boney admitted that he was in the park on the night of the shooting but claimed that he was there with his sisters and nephews. He alleged that he saw the undercover officer enter the park and attack former Laventille community leader Mark Guerra, now deceased.
Boney said that it was the soldier who drew a gun and began the shooting and he was hit in his elbow by a stray bullet while running away.