Former Trinidad minister acquitted of murder charges

Saturday, October 11, 2003

PORT-Of-SPAIN, Trinidad: A former Local Government Minister in Trinidad's United National Congress government, was on Thursday found "not guilty" in the murder of UNC councilor, Mr. Hansraj Soomairsingh, chairman of the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation. Mr. Dhanraj Singh, aka, The Sheriff, thanked God, his family and supporters before rushing off to his home. 

It took the 12-member jury two and a half hours to arrive at their unanimous verdict which they decided over lunch, the Trinidad Guardian reported. Mr. Singh had been in prison since 19th February, 2001.

Speaking to reporters, Singh, prompted by his lawyers said, "I must thank the Almighty for delivering me from this. I must thank the jury for standing up for what the truth is and I also thank my wife and my mother and all my friends. And I must thank Mr Karl Hudson-Phillips and his team who always had confidence that I was going to walk free and, that I am innocent."

He also thanked "all the people who supported my family" and "the press also for being kind to my family."

Singh said one of his main concerns was to take care of his ailing father, Mr. Roopnarine Singh, who has to undergo dialysis every day.

"I want to take care of my children. I want to go home and rest a little bit. I have my family to see about," he said, before being ushered to the St. Vincent Street office of his lead defence attorney. Mr. Karl Hudson-Phillips.

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