The Master cited a “developing pattern” of missed deadlines. Sealy also asked to move to her sister’s home because of her mobility.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The sufficiency hearing for Kaia Sealy, who is charged in connection with a police-involved shooting in January that killed her partner, was postponed to March 23 on Tuesday after her defence team failed to meet court deadlines.
High Court Master Nazeera Ali said she was concerned about what she called a “developing pattern” of non-compliance by the defence, the Express reported. The defence missed a Sept. 25 deadline for filing its documents and did not submit evidential objections as required. The court received its request for an adjournment only on Tuesday morning, seeking a delay of at least six weeks. Ali said the rules require the court and other parties to be told in advance of any delay.
Lead defence attorney Larry Williams apologized, saying it was “a failure on my part” and would not happen again. He said a no-case submission had been filed late and that the defence had been unable to inspect police station diaries. Attorney Fayola Sandy said extracts from the station diary from the date of the shooting were important. State prosecutor Anju Bhola said the prosecution would first need to inspect the diary and decide whether the material can be disclosed.
The prosecution said it was ready to proceed, having filed its evidence, including 44 witness statements, but did not object to the adjournment. Ali granted a final extension. She said the court is fully booked until March, so the matter could not be heard again this year. The defence must file and serve further submissions by Dec. 4, and the prosecution must respond by Jan. 4. A status hearing is set for Jan. 20.
The sufficiency hearing is where the evidence against an accused is examined to decide whether they should stand trial. Sealy’s lawyers are expected to argue that there is not enough evidence to support the charges.
Before the adjournment, Williams asked that Sealy’s bail conditions be changed so she could live at her sister’s home on Bridge Road, San Juan, instead of her mother’s three-storey house. He said she has difficulty accessing it because of mobility problems after the shooting. Bhola did not object, but said police would have to inspect the new address before it is confirmed.
Sealy is charged with manslaughter in the death of her partner, Joshua Samaroo, three counts of shooting at police officers Quincy Simon, Darryl Bartholomew and Gary Duncan with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and several firearm and ammunition offenses. The charges arise from a shooting on Jan. 20 at College Road and Bassie Street Extension in St. Augustine. Sealy was seriously injured and left paralyzed. Sealy is presumed innocent unless convicted.
The shooting prompted public outrage after video that circulated on social media appeared to show Samaroo with his hands raised before officers opened fire, the Express reported. The incident reportedly followed a police attempt to stop the couple’s vehicle during a chase.
