Today was day 5 in the trial against Corporal Kareem Martinez for the manslaughter of 14-year-old Laddie Gillett.
This morning another police officer, this time the driver of the police mobile which responded to the shooting on the night of July 14, 2021, PC Augustine, testified about his role in the detention of Thomas Palacio. After that, the courtroom party set off down the Southern Highway to the scene of the crime.
Our 7News Cameras weren't allowed to film the fully robed Justice and attorneys in their deliberations and observations on the beach, since it was part of the proceedings, and very much under courtroom rules - which disallow cameras.
Still Cherisse Halsall remained within earshot and tonight she's sent us back this report from Placencia beach:
This pristine stretch of Placencia's beach became a courtroom today as Justice Antoinette Moore travelled to the exact location where Laddie Gillett was killed.
The judge was here to ascertain several factors pertinent to the alleged manslaughter, which included: the distance to the Chabil Mar resort; the positioning of the so-called alley that Laddie and Thomas walked down, the location of the empty shell casing, and the distance from the beach club's parking lot to the scene of the crime.
And with the way the wind was blowing today there may have been a consideration, as to whether Laddie and Thomas heard the Command, "Stop! police!", if and when it was uttered.
