Cops duck murder investigation

FOR seven hours, officers of the Besson Street, Port-of-Spain Criminal Investigation Department and the Belmont Police Station wrangled over who should investigate the murder of 64-year-old grandfather Beresford St Bernard, fondly called “Beres,” who was killed outside his David Street, Gonzales home yesterday morning. It was only after the intervention of seniors that Belmont CID was mandated to investigate... and that was only because they went to the scene first and had most of the facts. When contacted, Snr Supt Nadir Mohammed confirmed the problem and explained that while boundaries of the three stations crossed each other in that area, the crime occurred in an area that falls under the Besson Street jurisdiction. However, because Belmont police arrived first and had all the facts ,they were told to go ahead and take responsibility.

According to reports, at about 4 am, “Beres” the former pan player, “lady’s man” and culture buff was returning to his David Street home from Hosay celebrations in St James when he was attacked and stabbed 200 yards from his home. The aged but strong-willed man called out to his neighbour “Smacky” but got no assistance. He managed to fight off his attacker(s) and stumbled to his house where he collapsed. Later that morning, at around 6 am “Smacky” saw his friend of over 30 years lying motionless on the step. He called out to the “fellas on the block” who came and found the father of one dead. The police were called in and they contacted the District Medical Officer who ordered the body removed to the Forensic Science Centre. When Newsday visited the home where he lived alone, his only daughter Paula St Bernard, expressed shock at the murder. “My father was a quiet man who never harassed anyone. He went out of his way to  help any and everyone.

“He did not deserve to die so. I want the killer found and justice to prevail.” His neighbour, an angry Hubert Martin, 64, alias “Smacky,” denied allegations that he did not try to help his friend when he heard his name called. “I was waiting on a visitor when I heard someone call out ‘Smacky.’ I thought the visitor had reached so I shouted ‘Oui’ and went outside. “I looked around for several minutes and saw no one, so I went back inside. It was later that morning when I looked outside, I saw ‘Beres’ lying on the step and called the fellas on the corner who came and found him. By that time he was dead. “This area is virtually in no-man’s land because when we report any crime we have to go to Besson Street, PoS CID, St Barbs Police Post and Belmont Police Stations because no one is sure whose crime it is. And still it is never investigated.” Police sources told Newsday they have no clues about the cause of the murder and have ruled out robbery since all his personal effects were found intact. Autopsy results confirm death from shock and hemorrhaging consistent with multiple stab wounds. Cpl Charles of the Belmont CID is investigating.