(Trinidad Guardian) Head of Special Operations Response Team (SORT) Mark Hernandez has been charged with misconduct in public office in connection with an investigation into the treatment of suspects caught in the abduction and murder of Andrea Bharatt.
The accusation against Hernandez was uncovered by officials of the Office of Professional Standards (PSB) around 2 pm yesterday, as they appeared almost in a habeas corpus application brought by his attorneys.
The charge was later corroborated by a statement issued by the Police Service.
During the brief hearing before High Court Judge Betsy-Ann Lambert-Peterson, BGC officials indicated that they had received instructions to lay the charge from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
As attorney Yohann Niles, of the T&T Police Service Legal Unit (TTPS), noted that investigators only needed a short time to complete the paperwork needed to officially charge Hernandez, Lambert-Peterson gave them until 4.15 pm to complete or release the process. it.
He also ordered the State to pay half of Hernandez’s legal costs for bringing the lawsuit, as she ruled the action was reasonable in the circumstances of his long-term detention, since last Wednesday.
Hernandez was given $ 300,000 bail by a Justice of the Peace and allowed to leave Maloney Police Station shortly before 6pm.
He was ordered to make his first court appearance at Sangre Grande Magistrates Court on June 1.
Hernandez breaks his silence
Speaking to reporters shortly after being released on bail, Hernandez denied any wrongdoing in relation to the surviving suspect and two others who died.
“It’s very unfortunate what happened to the two men and they did not die in police custody but they died while seeking medical attention and were taken to hospital by officers,” said Hernandez.
He continued: “I can tell you that the two people (Joel Balcon and Andrew Morris) who died, died with many secrets.”
“We wanted them to live so they could be brought to competent authority to answer for their crimes,” he added.
Hernandez claimed that Bharatt’s case had personally affected him and his colleagues.
“I want to tell you that it is never a good thing when citizens die. I can tell you that the investigation is painful, ”he said.
“We felt pain for Andrea Bharatt. Our mission was to search and rescue her, ”said Hernandez.
Hernandez also expressed confidence that he would be deported by the criminal justice system.
“The SORT officers feel pain and sorrow at the events but the investigation must go ahead and I am confident that the truth will be revealed and justice will be preserved,” he said Hernandez.
He also expressed hope that the unit, set up by Police Commissioner Gary Griffith, would not be corrupted as he was charged.
“As I am being charged and leading the unit, I would like to tell T&T that they are in safe hands with SORT officers,” he said.
Hernandez’s lawyer, Gerald Ramdeen, also expressed confidence in his client’s case.
“It’s a very sad day for T&T people for an officer like Mr Hernandez to be put through the pain and torment of being jailed for more than 140 hours for an investigation to be carried out,” said Ramdeen.
“I am confident that Mr Hernandez would be proven innocent and one hopes that his reputation would be restored,” Ramdeen added.
Hernandez has been shortlisted for one of three Deputy Police Commissioner (DCP) positions. His nomination by the Police Service Commission (PCC) has yet to be discussed and approved by Parliament.
In anticipation of the Hernandez and Gadar case hearings, unity messages were being shared on social media, yesterday morning.
Hernandez was represented by Wayne Sturge, Gerald Ramdeen, Lemuel Murphy, Mario Merritt, and Alexia Romero.