‘J-Lo’ charged with murder

The Chaguanas Magistrates’ Court was filled to capacity yesterday, as scores of people turned up to catch a glimpse of the attractive 26-year-old woman charged with the murder of National Helicopter Services courier, Carlos Phillip. The charge of murder was laid late Monday by Ag Sgt Ajith Persad of the Chaguanas CID. Julia Esmeralda Sellier Ramdeen, alias Jennifer Lopez, of Jerningham Road, Charlieville, the owner of a dating service, was visibly distraught while being escorted to the court by a female police officer. When Ramdeen appeared before Magistrate Nanette Forde John, she was not called on to plead, as the charge was laid indictably. The charge read out in court is that between December 22 and 26 at Pokher Road, Longdenville, Ramdeen murdered Carlos Phillip.

The matter was adjourned to February 6. Prosecutor,  Cpl Octavia Abraham, promised to make statements available to the defence attorney. As Ramdeen was being led away, she looked at her mother and other relatives who had gathered in the court. The mother of three was taken to the Golden Grove Prison in Arouca. One relative of murder victim, Carlos Phillip, was in the courtroom. Phillip, a father of two from Diego Martin, was reported missing on December 23 by relatives. His nude body was fished out of a caiman-infested pond at Longdenville on Christmas Day. His burnt out car was discovered at Talparo a few days later. A team of officers carried out extensive investigations which led to the arrest of the accused on Friday. The woman was quizzed over the weekend and directions were sought from Director of Public Prosecutions, Geoffrey Henderson.