Suspect freed... again

This means no one is in custody for the murder of the 20-yearold woman whose body was found stuffed on a shelf behind boxes in a room on the third floor of the IAM & Co store, Charlotte Street in Portof- Spain.

Contacted for comment yesterday Seecharan’s attorney Larry Williams said that investigations into both matters for which his client was detained are still continuing and he hopes that the public would not judge Seecharan negatively, since he was questioned and there was not enough evidence to charge him for any crime.

“I believe that more than 50 percent of the nation has already convicted Seecharan without a trial and while he may have been found guilty in the court of public opinion I hope that people are smart enough to let police do their investigation and not jump to any conclusions.” Williams told Newsday yesterday.

Larry lashed out at some newspaper reports, saying the negative press had brought unnecessary distress to Seecharan and his family. He said that while what was printed in some papers was enough to convict his client, the evidence that he saw from police during Seecharan’s interrogation, was not enough to bring charges.

Seecharan was first arrested along with an 18-year-old man in relation to Banfield’s death but both were later released.

However, hours after the first release, Seecharan was detained again for questioning in relation to a bunch of keys which was found in his possession. Williams said his client who was frustrated and dejected while in police custody was understandably elated and relieved on being released.

“My client has no intent to sue the state or pursue any action,” said Williams, “he is just happy that this is over with and he hopes that police do not lock him up again. I am happy that the police did the right thing, seeing that they did not have sufficient evidence to charge anyone.” Yesterday, on being released, Seecharan told reporters that he was relieved to be once again a free man.

“I am just relieved this is over...I had nothing to do with this (Banfield’s murder),” Seecharan said.

Residents in Seecharan’s neighbourhood in St Helena yesterday told Newsday that Seecharan was a quiet person who kept to himself.

Banfield was found dead two Thursdays ago after relatives reported her missing three days prior. An autopsy revealed that she was smothered. She was laid to rest on Tuesday.