Hair stylist Kaia Sealy is scheduled to face a sufficiency hearing on October 27 in connection with eight criminal charges arising from a fatal police-involved shooting in St Augustine earlier this year.
The hearing will determine whether the evidence presented by the prosecution is sufficient for the matter to proceed towards a trial in the High Court.
During a status hearing on Thursday, High Court Master Nazeera Ali extended the deadlines for prosecutors to file and serve their outstanding witness statements. Sealy’s legal representatives were also granted additional time to submit evidential objections and related arguments.
Despite those extensions, October 27 remains the date reserved for the sufficiency hearing.
The charges stem from a police-involved shooting at the corner of College Road and Bassie Street Extension, St Augustine, on January 20, 2026. The incident resulted in the death of Sealy’s partner, Joshua Samaroo, while Sealy herself sustained serious injuries.
The shooting attracted public attention after CCTV footage circulated on social media. The footage appeared to show officers firing at a vehicle following what was interpreted as an attempt by Samaroo to surrender.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service subsequently maintained that the footage represented only a brief and incomplete account of the encounter between officers and the couple.
Sealy faces a manslaughter charge in relation to Samaroo’s death, along with allegations of shooting at police officers Quincy Simon, Darryl Bartholomew and Gary Duncan with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Other charges concern possession of a Glock pistol and two rounds of ammunition, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and discharging a firearm within 40 metres of a public road.
The allegations remain before the court and have not been determined at trial.
Sealy was seriously injured during the shooting and was left with paraplegia. She subsequently travelled to the United States for medical treatment before returning to Trinidad and Tobago in June to face the charges.
She was granted bail in the amount of $700,000 and received permission to travel periodically to the United States for continued treatment and rehabilitation.
Attorneys Larry Williams and Fayola Sandy are representing Sealy in the proceedings.
The October 27 hearing will focus on the sufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence rather than determining guilt or innocence. The court’s assessment will establish whether the case meets the threshold to proceed towards trial.
The matter remains before the High Court as the legal process continues following the January shooting.