OWEN’S FAMILY SURPRISED OVER WRIT FILED BY CHILDREN’S MOM

When Newsday visited Owen’s mother’s home at Maracas St Joseph yesterday, relatives of the deceased man seemed almost confused by the turn of events, insisting that they were the ones taking legal action against the State. Owen’s sister, who wished to remain unidentified, said she only learned of Sheppard’s plans to sue the State when Newsday reporters arrived.

The woman, however, described the move by Sheppard as "strange," and explained that the Owen family is seeking the interest of her brother’s two young girls, ages six and 12.

"We have lawyers who are helping us get things together to sue the State.

"We are doing this on behalf of my brother’s three children. He has three children, but two girls with Lisa," said the sister of the deceased.

Owen’s sister named the lawyers hired by her family as attorneys Dana Seetahal and Dave Cowie.

Asked what kind of relationship the Owen family had with the mother of her brother’s two children, the dead man’s sister told Newsday that there is hardly any relationship at all.

"From ever since she and my brother got involved, she doesn’t deal with our family.

"The only communication we had from her was on Tuesday, when she called home asking about the cost of the funeral and some other things. I was not able to give her any information. But that was the first time in a long time. I really found that strange," said Owen’s sister.

As for what is the next step, Owen’s sister said the family plans to leave all legal arrangements in the hands of their lawyers.

When Newsday visited Sheppard’s Tacarigua home, Owen’s two children playfully rode around on bikes, unaware of the legal wrangling going on. Sheppard was unavailable for comment.