Argument over bread leads to stabbing death

AN ARGUMENT over a loaf of bread led to the stabbing death of  20-year-old Nathaniel Julien of Farm 39, Wallerfield early yesterday. A 26-year-old relative of the deceased was detained by the police and is expected to be charged with murder.

The murder of Julien is the 82nd for the year so far. According to reports, on Sunday the victim’s mother, Junette Julien, purchased a loaf of bread for her son to take to work. The deceased, who worked at Trincarb as a labourer, awoke around 6.30 am yesterday and saw a relative eating the bread. An argument ensued and Julien armed himself with a cutlass and began chasing the relative who reportedly armed himself with a harpoon and attacked Julien. He was stabbed once in the chest. The harpoon penetrated his chest and exited at the back killing Julien instantly.

A neighbour who witnessed the incident contacted the police and officers from the Arima Police Station were alerted as well as  District Medical Officer Dr Vidya Maharaj. The victim’s mother, who was not at home at the time of the stabbing, rushed to the scene on learning of the incident. She almost fainted on arriving at her home and was comforted by relatives and neighbours. She was too distraught to say anything about the murder yesterday. The body was ordered removed to the Forensic Science Centre and an autopsy will be carried out today. A 26-year-old farmer was detained for questioning and following the autopsy today investigators will seek directions from Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson on the matter. Relatives and neighbours of the dead man claimed he and the suspect were always arguing and were not on speaking terms.