Murder accused held in bed with 2 women

Police sergeant Winston Adams told the jury in the Barataria murder trial yesterday that when he went to arrest Hassan Sanchez, one of five men accused of murdering Roger Alexander, he saw him on a bed with two women in a house in Tobago. Sgt Adams, who is stationed in Tobago, said he went to a house at Milford Road, Canaan, Tobago, at about 2.30 pm and arrested Sanchez. He said he told Sanchez that he was wanted for murder in Trinidad, and that there was a warrant for his arrest at the Morvant Police Station. Sanchez, however, said that his name was Jabaal. In response to attorney Keith Scotland, Adams said he noted Sanchez’ reply in his personal diary, but that was in Tobago.

Garvin Sookram aka “Bean,” John Wayne Alleyne aka “Bumbles,” Junior Sookram aka “Country,” Hassan Sanchez and Gaskin aka “Doom,” are before Justice Rajendra Narine charged with the murder of Alexander, aka “One Arm,” on August 19, 2000 in Barataria. Also testifying yesterday was Aloma Ramsey, a director of New Steam Laundry of Saw Mill Avenue in Barataria. She testified that her brother, David Hamid, the managing director of the laundry who had testified at the preliminary inquiry in this matter, had died on September 12, 2001. Hamid’s deposition was read to the jury. The deposition stated that Cpl Johnny Abraham had brought a duplicate copy of a laundry bill to him, and that he had traced the copy to the original. Earlier testimony in the trial made reference to a plastic laundry bag with a tag which was used to wrap Alexander’s body to be transported to the Barataria Recreation Ground.

Garvin Sookram is being defended by Pamela Elder SC and Owen Hinds Jr, Alleyne by Osbourne Charles SC and Elvis O’Connor, Junior Sookram by Sean Cazabon and Dawn Mohan, Sanchez by Keith Scotland and Michelle Solomon, and Gaskin by Margaret Rose and Richard Mason. The State is being represented by former deputy DPP Rangee Dolsingh SC and senior prosecutor Jeron Joseph. Hearing continues today.