Angry villagers chase reporters

The reporters were ejected by the angry mourners led by Valley’s father Kenneth and other relatives. Some reporters were also threatened with physical harm by the mourners despite the fact that several heavily armed policemen and soldiers stood nearby and watched.

On realising that tensions were running high, some of the officers walked over to the church yard, surrounded the reporters and news cameramen, and escorted them out to the street.

“Ent ah tell all yuh doh come in here. Allyuh only disrespecting the family. All yuh get out,” a relative of the dead man shouted.

For the duration of the two-hour service, the reporters stood outside the church and kept the police and soldiers company. Yesterday’s police presence, ordered by Central Division police head Snr Supt Barnett Mayers, came as officers were concerned over the possibility of violence breaking out before, during and after the service.

“This gesture was for us not to intimidate the media but to protect them from the angry villagers. If this measure was not taken, we may have had a few casualties,” Snr Supt Mayers said.

In a swift response, the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) commended the journalists who carried out their duties “fearlessly” in covering the funeral service.

The MATT statement added that while Valley’s death was a sensitive matter and relatives had a right to privacy, it strongly condemned the manner in which reporters were asked to leave the church.

“It was so inexcusable, that such behaviour must be condemned especially when the father of the deceased gave permission to the media to cover the funeral,” MATT stated as it also praised the police for protecting the media.

From as early as 1 pm, over 150 policemen – both uniformed and plainclothes – were deployed to Boot Hill. Officers from the Special Anti-Crime Unit (SAUTT) and the Riot Squad were also on hand. Heavily armed soldiers were seen at strategic points along the Main Road from Huggins Street, Boot Hill to the St Thomas Anglican Cemetery.

Over 1,000 mourners attended Valley’s funeral and they included Trade Minister Ken Valley (who is related to the family), Chaguanas MP Manohar Ramsaran and FIFA vice-president Austin ‘Jack’ Warner.

The church hall was filled to capacity and several mourners who found themselves outside the church, peered through spaces in the wall to witness the service which was officiated by Rev Michael Chatfield.

“We will have to launch a bomb on them people. They take away one of our brethren just so and we ain’t taking that,” a young man was heard muttering outside the church.

Valley was shot in the left side of the chest by a 50-year-old businessman at his (the businessman) Cacandee Road, Felicity home.

The businessman was detained by police subsequent to the incident but was released on Wednesday following instructions from Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson who ordered a Coroner’s Inquest.