Jury hears of mom in latrine, baby on river bank

The murders happened in 2005 and yesterday Anand Baboolal, 40, went on trial in the San Fernando High Court before a judge and jury who began hearing evidence after the State opened the 13-year-old case in which Justice Althea Alexis-Windsor is presiding.

Senior State attorney Shabanna Shah told the jury that on August 13, 2005, police officers went to Mafeking Road, Mayaro, where they saw the body of Ishmael Timothy Ragbir. The child’s body was on the bank of the Mafeking River and the discovery led police to the home of his mother, Ria Ramlochan, 28, at Solomon Street, Mayaro.

They saw her feet protruding out of a latrine pit on the eastern side of her house. The judge and jury heard that Ramlochan had three stab wounds to the chest. Shah said the prosecution would draw their attention to police interview notes in which the accused Baboolal made certain admissions.

He allegedly told police upon arrest, that while home with Ramlochan there was a fight and she had a knife in her hand.

He took the knife and stabbed her. Shah said that the accused also admitted that the child who was on a bed, was also stabbed.

She called Ramlochan’s mother Shakila Gookool, who swore on The Holy Gita and sobbed as she gave evidence.

She testified that her daughter visited her a few days before on the occasion of her (Gookool) birthday at her home in South Oropouche.

On the day of her birthday, Ramlochan called and wished her happy birthday. Gookool said that she telephoned her daughter subsequently but got no answer.

The woman testified that she held a funeral service for her daughter and grandson.

Photographs taken by police were tendered into evidence and shown to the jury. The trial continues today.