PENSIONER CHOPPED TO DEATH

QUIET Tobago joined the country’s murder madness, when a 76-year-old pensioner who won a court case surrounding a piece of land, was found chopped to death — almost decapitated — near his Crown Point home on Wednesday night. Police sources told Newsday, the attack was so brutal on elderly pensioner John James, aka “John Plug” and “Pluggie”, that his head was only attached to the rest of his body by mere strands of flesh. James’ death brings to 70 the number of people killed in the country, and followed swiftly on the heels of murders in Sangre Grande and Maloney. John’s slaying reportedly stemmed from a land dispute which was recently settled in court in his favour. His killing has sent shockwaves through the quiet village where he lived and is Tobago’s first murder for this year.

Medical sources told Newsday James was almost decapitated by a single chop across the head which extended from the middle of his face straight across the ears to the middle of the neck. One of his ears was completely severed. He was found in a pool of blood in the middle of Store Bay Local Road where it is believed he fell and died within seconds of being chopped. Police also believe he may have first been accosted at his home and ran off along the road to escape his killer, who eventually gained on the elderly man and dealt him the fatal blow. The incident occurred around 7.30 pm at the junction of the Store Bay Feeder Road and the Store Bay Local Road.

A police party headed by ACP (Tobago) Michael Thomas, and including Snr Supt Benjamin Watson, and ASP Cummings visited the scene, along with County Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) Dr Mentor Melville, who viewed the body and ordered its  removal to the Scarborough Hospital Mortuary. An autopsy is expected to be done today. Neighbours in the area remained tight-lipped over the incident yesterday when Newsday visited the scene. Police are meanwhile seeking a relative of James whom they believe may be able to assist them with investigations. Detective Sgt Garfield Moore of Scarborough CID is continuing investigations.