23-year-old appears in court for triple murder

Arima: A strong police presence in Arima this morning as the man accused of killing a La Horquetta mother and two children appeared in court. Twenty-three-year-old Ancil Richards appeared before Senior Magistrate Indra Ramoo Hanyes this morning.

Police blocked off the street in front of the courthouse as the man entered the court. His lawyer Collin Selvon has asked the court for a gag order to be placed on the media but his request was denied by the magistrate.

Selvon was advised to apply to the Director of Public Prosecutions. Selvon told the magistrate that the media and senior police officers were exposing sensitive aspects of his client's statement to the public.

Selvon's request for disclosure on the files to start preparing for his case was also turned down as the state said the file was not fully ready.

Richards, a fabricator by trade is charged with the July 6th murder of Vonetta Haynes-Reyes and her sons Malik and Makesy.