Court hears how gang killed, dumped dad

Mistaken for a gunman who fired a shot, an unarmed Barataria father was chased by a gang of six and shot four times from behind. His bullet-riddled body was wrapped in a bed sheet and dumped in a recreation ground, after the shooter returned from visiting his girlfriend with his gang. Five men went on trial yesterday for the murder of Barataria handyman and father of one, Roger Alexander, before Justice Rajendra Narine in the Port-of-Spain First Criminal Court. Outlining the State’s case to the jury, special prosecutor Rangie Dolsingh SC, told the jury that six men, two of whom were armed with guns, chased Alexander, who is also called “One Arm”  and shot him four times from behind. After one of the shooters visited his girlfriend at Trincity, he and the other five gang members went to the scene, wrapped Alexander’s body in a multi-coloured bed sheet, and dumped it at the Barataria recreation ground.

Dolsingh told the jury of seven women and five men, plus four alternates, that the State will lead evidence to prove its case against the five accused — Garvin Sookram aka “Bean,” John Wayne Alleyne aka “Bumbles,” Junior Sookram aka “Country,” Hassan Sanchez and Ronald Gaskin aka “Doom.” The sixth man, Kerry Joseph, who was also charged with Alexander’s murder, was granted immunity by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for his testimony against the others. The shooting took place on August 19, 2000, at Saw Mill Avenue Road. After Dolsingh completed his opening address, he called three witnesses yesterday. The first was sister of the deceased, Margaret Alexander, followed by his common-law wife Patrina Sawyer, both of  whom identified the body to the police and pathologist Dr Hughvon Des Vignes. The third witness was Sgt Mongal Hazarie.  

Dolsingh, a former deputy DPP, assisted by senior prosecutor Jeron Joseph, started his opening address by telling the jury that the men were jointly charged with the killing which was set at Small Street, Second Caledonia, Morvant. He said about 7 pm a man by the name of Komo George picked up his friend Alexander, 34, a father of one at his Eight Street, Barataria home and went to have a drink at a nearby bar at the corner of Small and Garrick Streets, called “Lyndon and Anges.” About an hour later, while sitting on a bench drinking, George, who, was armed with a 9mm pistol, saw Gaskin stop some 20 feet from where he and Alexander were drinking. Shortly after, he saw Garvin and Junior Sookram coming up Garrick Street. Garvin Sookram had an eight-inch gun in his hand, while Junior Sookram was armed with a pump action shotgun.

On seeing the men approaching and because of certain rumours, George pushed his hand in his pocket where he had a pistol. The gun in George’s pocket accidentally went off, and he ran into the bushes about 40 feet from where he was liming. However, at the time, George did not realise that it was his gun that went off accidentally, but believed that it was the Sookrams who were firing shots at him. Likewise, the Sookrams thought they were being fired on. Sanchez, Alleyne and Joseph, who were liming some distance away, were joined by the Sookrams.  Garvin told them: “Komo now burst a shot behind us.” The  men, led by the armed Sookrams, then went to the shop and Garvin demanded, “Who now burst a shot behind me?” Gaskin replied: “It’s Komo who burst the shot.” Garvin then fired two shots in the air and ordered, “Everybody leave the block.”

Meanwhile, Alexander was coming from the side of the shop and Garvin demanded from him: “Who now buss that shot behind me,” to which Alexander replied,” I don’t be in those things again, since my friend “Pick” dead, I don’t be in them things again. I have two children to live for.” He then walked to a track at Small Street. The gang followed him and as Garvin called out to Alexander, he started to run. The  six men gave chase and Garvin fired a shot at Alexander.  Alexander turned and asked “What all that for?” and continued running. Garvin fired three more shots at Alexander who fell face down.

He was shot four times in the back, head, neck and spine. With the exception of Junior Sookram, the five boarded a car they had rented and drove to Trincity, where Garvin visited his girlfriend. They then returned to the scene and dumped the body in the playground. Garvin  Sookram is being defended by Pamela Elder SC and Owen Hinds Jr, Alleyne by Osbourne Charles SC and Elvis O’Connor, Sookram (J) by Sean Cazabon and Dawn Mohan, Sanchez by Keith Scotland and Nadia Astraph, and Gaskin by Margaret Rose and Richard Mason. Hearing continues today.