THERE WERE numerous complaints yesterday about the unbearable heat in the courtroom where the trial of three of the four persons charged with the murder of attorney-at-law Shirley Playfair was taking place.
The heat was so intense that Justice Kay Beckford, who is presiding at the trial in the Home Circuit Court, had to find "a cooler" courtroom in the afternoon to continue the trial.
The air-condition unit in the courtroom had been out of service since Monday.
"It is really intolerable to be working in this heat," Frank Phipps, Q.C., said yesterday. Attorney-at-law George Soutar said the intense heat was uncomfortable.
"I am not going to be able to function properly," the judge added before sending to find a 'cooler' courtroom."
Ramone Drysdale, also called 'Fudgie', 26, of Metcalfe Street, Kingston 13, Ashley Ricketts, 48, taxi driver, of Maxfield Avenue, Kingston 13 and Annette Livingston, 40, who was Mrs. Playfair's secretary for 19 years, have been on trial since last week Monday for the murder. Dwayne 'Amin' Williams, of Metcalfe Street, was charged jointly with them but he escaped from police on April 22 last year.
The Crown, represented by Kathy Pyke, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions and Gail Walters, Crown Counsel, is alleging that on April 13, 2000, Mrs. Playfair was in her office at 2C Seymour Avenue, Kingston 6, having her lunch when some men went there and slashed her throat.
Senior Superintendent G.C. Grant testified on Monday and yesterday that during his investigation of the murder case, Ricketts gave three caution statements. He said one was given on April 13, one on April 19 and the third on April 21, 2000.
Asked how Ricketts came to give the third statement, he said that during his investigation, he consulted the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and was given certain instructions. He said he told Ricketts he would like to collect another statement from him and Ricketts said, "OK, I will give the statement". While taking the third statement, the accused Livingston and two policewomen in plain clothes came into the officer where Ricketts was. Ricketts pointed at one of the women and said "see her there?".
Senior Supt. Grant said when he saw Livingston typing on the computer at the office after Mrs. Playfair was murdered, the police and forensic analyst were at the office collecting evidence. He said the other workers were in a state of shock and were crying.
The statements which Ricketts gave to the police will be read to the jury today.
Kymanda Palmer was called as a witness for the Crown but Mr. Phipps objected to her testimony on the ground that her evidence was not relevant to the proceedings and the judge upheld the objection.
Timothy Campbell, a security guard who testified last week that he was at Seymour Avenue where Mrs. Playfair's office was when he saw a blue Datsun motor car drive up at about 10 a.m. on April 13, 2000, was recalled by attorney-at-law George Soutar who represents Ricketts.
With the court's permission, Mr. Soutar asked Mr. Campbell if he had told the police that it was someone in the front passenger seat of the car who spoke to him. He said he told the police it was someone in the front of the car who spoke to him.
On being shown the police statement, he said he did not recall telling the police that it was someone in the front passenger seat who spoke to him. He said after the person spoke to him he responded and gave Mrs. Playfair's suite number which was 24.
