Villager testifies: I last saw murdered mom in hammock

Ramlochan, 26, was found dead inside a latrine pit and her baby boy, Ishmael Timothy Ragbir, was discovered floating in the Mafeking River, both having suffered multiple stab wounds.

The man on trial before a judge and jury in the San Fernando High Court is Anand “Son” Baboolal, 40, of Mayaro. The last day Ramlochan was seen alive was on August 10, 2005. The bodies of the woman and her child were found three days later.

Nicholas Mitchell was called by the State yesterday on day three of the trial before Justice Althea Alexis-Windsor and he testified that he used to see Baboolal at Ramlochan’s home.

Mitchell lived next door to Ramlochan on Solomon Street, Mayaro.

Led by State Attorney Maria Lyons-Edwards, Mitchell said that on August 10 at about 9.30 pm he returned home from a Christian crusade and he saw Ramlochan rocking in a hammock at her house.

Her child, who was dressed in a blue and yellow jersey and pampers, was playing around. He did not see anyone else beside them. Mitchell was handed certain photos and he pointed out Ramlochan’s house.

He pointed to where she was rocking in the hammock and where Ishmael was playing.

Baboolal’s attorney Rekha Ramjit, instructed by attorney Gina Ramjohn, cross-examined Mitchell about the time he had seen Ramlochan in the hammock and referred him to his evidence in the magistrates court which stated that the time was 9.30 am. Mitchell insisted that he had said it was night time and that his back door faced Ramlochan’s house. The villager said he then went to bed about half an hour to about an hour after but saw no one else at the house that night.

Asked if he heard loud noises coming from the house, Mitchell said he did not, nor did he hear any unusual noises.

The prosecution’s case which is being led by Senior State Attorney Shabaana Shah, contends that Baboolal and Ramlochan were quarrelling and the accused grabbed a knife from her. Ishmael was on the bed.

Mitchell also testified, in answer to Ramjit, that he used to see Baboolal visit Ramlochan at her home. He said, “So long as I home, I use to see him visit. I would see him probably two days a week.

Yes, I see him in July and August.” The trial continues on Monday