‘Skelly’ back in court for murder

A smiling Sheldon “Skelly” Lovell and two other men appeared before Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls yesterday, charged with the kidnapping and murder of Curepe businessman Dennis Persad-Jodhan. However, Mc Nicolls warned reporters about the effects of pre-trial publicity after hearing complaints from attorneys representing the accused.

Lovell, 31, is jointly charged with Shawn “Gumbo” Vincent, 29, and Brent “Small Brent” Danglade, for kidnapping and murdering Dennis Jodhan. The trio were charged with another man, Jason Joseph, with falsely imprisoning Jodhan. Jodhan 30, was kidnapped from his home at Evans Street, Curepe, opposite his father’s business place, Dumplin’s Mini Mart. A ransom of $800,000 was demanded for his safe return. However, five days later his body was discovered on a road leading to an agricultural estate off the Churchill Roosevelt Highway in Aranguez. “Skelly” was also charged along with Rondelle Roberts for kidnapping Ronald John, the brother of former UNC Government Minister Carlos John. John was abducted from his Petra Street home in Woodbrook on March 26, 2003. He was rescued by police at a house on Upper Fairley Street, Tunapuna. This kidnapping was carried out approximately five months after his first kidnapping on October 2, 2002.

Attorney for “Skelly” and “Gumbo,”  Patrick Godson-Phillip said his clients were getting bad publicity,which, he thinks would affect their trial. “I am concerned about the statements made about one of my clients being the country’s most wanted. When both were in custody two weeks ago, they knew nothing of the charges laid yesterday. They were then released on bail. Now they are being charged with murder. There is something that is definitely amiss in this matter.” Godson-Phillips then requested that Chief Magistrate Mc Nicolls allow him to ask the Director of Public prosecutions if he can have the matter transferred to the Tunapuna Magistrates’ Court. “The DPP has no jurisdiction to do so,” Mc Nicolls replied. Wayne Sturge, Attorney for Rondelle Roberts made an application for bail stating that his client had no previous convictions but McNicolls denied bail pending a tracing of Robert’s criminal records.  Jason Joseph, who is being represented by Kenneth Thompson, was also denied bail pending tracing. “Skelly,” “Gumbo” and Danglade are being remanded in custody until September 9, when they would appear before a Tunapuna magistrate. They would also appear before the Port-of-Spain magistrate along with Roberts and Joseph on September 11, 2003.