Dry River man charged with American’s murder

Martin Rogers, of East Dry River, was read the charge by Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls, who presided in the matter which is being heard in the Port-of-Spain Eighth Magistrates’ Court.

Rogers is charged with the February 12, 2002 murder of Mark Staley, who was stabbed to death at Bournes Road, St James, during Carnival festivities.

The court heard evidence yesterday from three witnesses, including a father and a son, both of whom were close friends of the deceased.

The father, Ronald Keith Kellum, an operations manager with Damus Ltd based in Point Fortin, and his son Ronald Christopher Kellum, a construction manager at Atlantic LNG, were both led in evidence yesterday by State attorney Nizam Khan.

Also testifying in the matter was police photographer, Roger Grant.

Thirty-eight-year-old Staley of Mountain View, Wyoming, United States, was employed at Damus in La Romaine, South Trinidad. He was staying at a guesthouse at Clifton Hill, Point Fortin. On February 12, 2002, Staley was a member of the Desert Rats playing Monday night mas in St James.

The victim was reportedly in the band with friends when he was confronted by a man with a knife.

There was a struggle during which the American was stabbed about his body, after which the assailant ran off with Staley’s gold chain.