Minister Joseph awaits report on death of slain cop

Minister of National Security Martin Joseph said yesterday that he is yet to receive an official report on the bizarre killing of PC Omah Marajah who was killed in the line of duty on Friday night. The minister added that he was unable to comment on the matter because he only read about the murder in the newspapers, and could not comment on something he read in the newspapers. He said that he would be in a better position to respond by today. Police Commissioner Trevor Paul when contacted yesterday said that he did not wish to disclose the status of the investigation into the death of PC Marajah or what anti-crime initiatives are going to be put in place in light of the shooting death.

He said that the media will be informed today about funeral arrangements for the slain constable. Commissioner Paul also preferred not to comment on the spate of killings and shootings between Friday and yesterday. Up until yesterday, 113 persons were murdered for the year. Seven persons died in 13 hours over the weekend which was marred by extreme violence and bloodshed. Four of the victims were shot, one was stabbed with a “hog knife” and the cause of death for two others is unknown. Among the victims were PC Omah Marajah, a father of three who was shot in the hip and burnt to death in a shoot-out with two bandits at Piarco on Friday night.

Two of the bandits were killed and one remains at large. That bandit stole the .9 mm gun belonging to the slain constable. One of the dead bandits was identified as Dane Benjamin, a former Coast Guard mechanic of Morvant. The identity of the other slain bandit remained unknown yesterday but his fingers were tested for prints to ascertain if he has a criminal record. Police received a report that the second suspect is also from Morvant. In South, Marilyn St Clair, 44, was stabbed to death with a hog knife at around 1.45 am on Saturday. She was killed by a man known to her. The killing took place at Sobo Village, La Brea.

Around 8.45 pm on Friday, Besson Street police responded to a report that a car had crashed into a wall at the Beetham Highway in the vicinity of Tile-It factory. Officers went to the scene and found the body of Kenrick Charles, 43, a URP foreman of Pioneer Drive, Sea Lots, with a single bullet wound to the head. An autopsy will be carried out today to determine the cause of death. No motive was established for the killing although police suspect it could be related to the URP programme. Earlier that day, at around 2 pm, a female relative went to the home of Terrence Walcott, 92, at Reform Road, Heritage Street, Belmont, and found the pensioner dead in his bed.

The room appeared to be ransacked. Police are awaiting the results of an autopsy to be carried out today to determine the cause of death. Officers of the South Western Division are also investigating the death of watchman Johnny Hill, 55, of Rousillac. He was found dead at the guard booth at the La Brea Export Centre. There were no signs of violence but an autopsy will be carried out to determine if any foul play took place. On Saturday, Besson Street police responded to a report that Kedan Montrose was shot while at a scrapyard at Beetham Gardens. He is warded at hospital.