IN AN ironic twist of fate, a man described by police as a bandit was fatally shot in the chest by his accomplice, whose gun accidentally went off while he (the accomplice) was pistol-whipping their intended robbery victim — a Marabella businessman — early yesterday morning. Jerry Fraser, 30, of Loukie Trace, Penal, died while undergoing emergency surgery at the San Fernando General Hospital. His accomplice-turned-killer is still at large.

The incident occurred around 1 am, in front of the home of businessman Darryl Seecharan, 40, who sells outboard boat engines from his Market Street, Marabella, home. According to police reports, Seecharan had just returned home and as he alighted from his vehicle, was accosted by two masked gunmen, who trained their guns at him and snatched away his $900 gold chain and an $800 cellular phone. One of the bandits started hitting Seecharan on his head with the gun-butt which accidentally discharged and a bullet struck the other bandit in his chest at point blank range. The injured bandit, later positively identified as Jerry Fraser, ran a short distance before collapsing. Fraser’s accomplice escaped with Seecharan’s cellular phone and jewelry. Seecharan called the police who arrived on the scene shortly and took the injured man to the SFGH, where he died while undergoing surgery.

An autopsy was expected to be carried out yesterday afternoon at the Forensic Science Centre, Federation Park, St James. The businessman gave investigators a statement, then sought medical treatment at SFGH. When Newsday visited Fraser’s home, which he shared with his common-law wife Christine Grant, 21, his mother Ottillia, and several siblings expressed shock over his death and the circumstances surrounding it. Grant, a security guard, visited her relatives in Mon Repos yesterday morning and had not returned home at the time of her common-law husband’s death. Ottillia, a mother of five — two of whom have now died — said she had no idea her son was involved in a life of crime. She said Fraser suffered with a heart problem and worked as a joiner. She told Newsday the last time she saw her son alive was around 5 pm on Sunday. “He spend the whole day here and in the evening he say he going out to come back,” she recalled. The crying woman said she was worried when her son did not return home because he was not accustomed to sleeping out. “I never know him to be robbing people. He don’t have no case (pending in court). I just don’t know what to believe,” she sobbed. Visiting the scene were a party of officers led by Snr Supt Desmond Lambert and including ASP Dyo Mohammed, Insp Brereton and Insp Blackman. Marabella police are investigating the incident.

Officers of the Police Fingerprint Section spent several hours yesterday trying to match the prints of the man found in the centre of the Queen’s Park Savannah on Sunday, with prints on record to try and identify the body. Up until late yesterday no one came forward to identify the body and officers were still in the process of checking the prints.

Also yesterday, the man’s body was moved from the Port-of-Spain Mortuary to the Forensic Science Centre. The man reportedly had 16 stab wounds about the body, his hands were tied, his throat was slit and his mouth was gagged. Senior police officers yesterday issued a call to members of the public to come forward to assist the police in identifying the body. The man is about 30 years old and he is also believed to have been sexually assaulted. Police officers told Newsday that the area where the body was found is frequented by persons who use the area to have sex and carry out other illicit activities. Officers of the St Clair CID said that during patrols at nights they are forced to order people away from the area. They claimed that the area is used as a sex den by homosexuals.

The Second Session of the Eighth Parliament opened amid virtual gridlock yesterday, as the security measures taken by the police for the Abu Bakr inquiry at the city’s Magistrates’ Court caused a shutdown of the  streets around the Parliament, leaving  dignitaries stuck in standstill traffic.

Before President Professor Max Richards addressed the half-empty chamber, House Speaker Barry Sinanan announced almost apologetically: “Because of the heavy traffic surrounding the Red House some MPs are yet to arrive. It is hoped that they will be here shortly.” The bulk of these people came late. Senior Members of Parliament, like Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Deputy Speaker Hedwidge Bereaux, St Augustine MP Winston Dookeran and Labour Minister Larry Achong could be seen scurrying to their seats. “Many of my colleagues were struck in traffic, and then the distance we had to walk (to get to the Parliament,” Persad-Bissessar said.

Barriers went up on streets around the precincts of Parliament and the Hall of Justice without warning, disrupting the parking system for MPs. Already late, MPs found that they could not park  on Knox Street, the usual parking point, but had to walk from provided space on Hart St, which was the closest parking site. Many resented the inconvenience, but realised that that their fate was better than that of several invitees who found themselves, sitting, waiting in their cars,  when the voice of President Richards came over the radio. House Speaker Barry Sinanan said that despite the traffic problems, he thought the opening of Parliament went well. In fact the only thing which marred the opening was the late arrivals, caused by the traffic jam.

Stressing that “our communities” could not thrive without law and order, President Richards yesterday called for the “full force of the law,” even for minor infractions. As he delivered his maiden speech to the ceremonial opening of the Second Session of the Eighth Parliament, Richards stressed that he was not advocating a police state, but believed that the time had come to “rigorously” apply order and discipline, “in defence of our nation.” As he stood in one of the most important institutions — the Parliament — the President lamented that “all of us” were “witnessing deterioration tending to anarchy in many of our institutions.” He added that the solution lay not in new legislation, but in the law enforcement agencies ensuring that the law was enforced. The President attempted to do a balancing act, but at times, seemed to want to stand and be counted. In what some perceived to be an indirect criticism of the Opposition’s stand of civil disobedience and non-cooperation, Richards called for a mature understanding of the rules of conduct for leaders. “Our nation needs healing. In this Parliament, we must demonstrate far-sightedness. We must know when to put on battle gear and when to call a truce. We must be able to criticise and to congratulate. We must defend our interests and support the common good.”

Pointing to the experience of “our predecessors” who took us from colonialism to independence, Richards noted that while “picong,” “a cherished national gift” and “adversarial positions” were there “without a doubt,” they “did not allow themselves to forget the requirement of respect for the representative role that was given to them.” Looking to his left (the Opposition) and his right (the Government), Richards urged that “for the sake of our children, we need to take a look at the path that we have been travelling and see whether some adjustments to our modus operandi are necessary.” While Prime Minister Patrick Manning thought President Richards’ speech was a “good speech” and that the President was free to address the Parliament on any topic of his choice, (“It is his discretion,”), he did not hold the same sentiment about the prayers given by Reverend Cyril Paul. “I would have preferred if the prayer was different,” Manning stated.

In a prayer which raised some eyebrows; Paul asked for forgiveness for what he saw as some of the failings of the politicians. “We pray for Your forgiveness when through our speech, attitude and actions, we fail to acknowledge to Your presence and we bring dishonour and disrepute to the good name of Parliament. We ask your forgiveness for the times when in our desire to score points we make statements and say things which we know are not true and responsible. We ask Your forgiveness as Parliamentarians for the times we fail to do our work conscientiously and well, and when we depend on charisma, clout, bluff or exaggeration to save the day for us. We ask Your forgiveness for the many times we speak without thinking or speak for the sake of speaking,” he said. Some thought that the politicans who were slapped on one side of their cheek by the President, turned the other (cheek) in true Christian style, only to be slapped by Paul. However, like all the other religious representatives, Paul prayed for the President, Prime Minister, House Speaker, Senate President and  Leader of the Opposition.

Apart from the rectitude of the speech of President George Maxwell Richards, the most striking feature of yesterday’s Ceremonial Opening of Parliament was the emptiness of the chamber.

There was not the usual throng of people, whether one looked at the parliamentary floor, the public gallery or the press gallery. Yesterday’s turnout particularly contrasted with that of last year, when after the uncertainty of three general elections in three years, people — politicians, dignitaries and the public — made a deliberate effort to turn out, to endorse and lend certainty to proceedings. Unlike last year there was no long queue of members of the public being screened by the police to enter the building. Neither was the parliamentary floor packed with the spouses of parliamentarians and other VIPs. And unlike last year after climbing a spacious stairway newly-built to access the press gallery, reporters had no problem finding a seat. Speculation is that the reduced attendance was due to invitees not braving the high security in the area set up for the nearby trial of Jamaat al Muslimeen leader, Yasin Abu Bakr.

The start of the initial sitting of the House of Representatives, before the joint session with the Senate, saw a contrast in the appearance of the Government and Opposition. If appearance is anything to count by, the Government presented a long flank of 12 MPs, unbroken and silent. The Opposition presented a broken line of seven MPs. At the top of the Opposition bench, Leader of the Opposition Basdeo Panday kept a tight clique of MPs — Ganga Singh, Winston Dookeran and Gerald Yetming.   At the bottom of the bench was a looser-knit clique of Gillian Lucky, Adesh Nanan, Subhas Panday and Nizam Baksh. Floating in between both cliques was the solitary figure of Dr Fuad Khan, his isolation for a moment almost suggesting a metaphor for his possible ostracism by the party for criticisms of its leader, until moments later, when he was engaged by other MPs. Members of Parliament and Senators were admonished in two “speeches,” including the prayer of former moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Rev Cyril Paul, and the later address of  President Richards.

In his prayer as representative of the Christain faith, Paul asked God’s forgiveness for the times when parliamentarians brought dishonour to the good name of Parliament through their desire to score points by saying things they knew not to be true. “Forgive us when we fail to do our research, but rely on charisma, clout, bluff or exaggeration, to save the day for us, or when we speak without thinking just for the sake of talking.” Paul asked God to bless the Prime Minister with strength, courage, compassion and sensitivity, and the Leader of the Opposition with vision, empathy and faith. He prayed that the opening of Parliament would herald calmness, rededication, recommitment and hope for our country and our people. In his speech, President Richards adopting a mixed tone, on one hand championed the cause of the differently-abled, children and community life, and on the other hand upbraided politicians to promote political statesmanship and law enforcement against lawlessness.

GOPAUL POORAN, proprietor of Pooran’s Glass Supplies, was allowed to speak with his kidnapped son on Sunday night. However, Pooran later told relatives the voice on the telephone did not sound like his son’s. A relative told Newsday yesterday, she did not know what the conversation was about, but Pooran confided to other relatives that the voice sounded unfamiliar.

The father was last night awaiting a telephone call from his son’s kidnappers to arrange dropping off the ransom money for his son’s release. Shakti Pooran,19, who lives with his mother at Aripero Village, was abducted last Wednesday afternoon. No one witnessed the abduction, but his father received a telephone call the following night from someone who demanded $200,000 for Pooran’s safe release. His father owns two glass companies — Pooran Glass Supplies — at Rusthworth Street, San Fernando and Southern Main Road, Marabella.The kidnappers have insisted that Pooran pay the full ransom demand, but he told them that he could only make up $40,000. Newsday understands the kidnappers called again yesterday and promised to call back last night to make the final arrangements. The condition of Pooran’s ailing mother, Lynette Pooran, who suffers with a heart problem, has deteriorated since her son’s kidnapping. She was to rushed to the San Fernando General Hospital over the weekend with chest pains.

A PLAN by former Attorney-General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj to bring in foreign investors to purchase the assets of Caroni (1975) Limited and re-employ its former workers was shelved yesterday after the same investors supported Government’s approach to restructure the former State sugar company.

This was revealed by accountant Amarjit Chadee, who had first written to Prime Minister Patrick Manning two weeks ago, to outline the investors’ proposal. Chadee told Newsday that together with attorney Garnet Mungalsingh, he met Agriculture Minister John Rahael and Public Administration Minister Dr Lenny Saith at 1 pm at the National Library on Abercromby Street to discuss the matter. He said after lengthy discussions with the Ministers, it was agreed that Government’s policy of giving former Caroni workers first preference to land for agricultural and non-agricultural purposes was the best strategy to pursue at this time. Describing the investors’ proposal as “a private sector proposition,” Chadee said the Ministers informed him that the only areas where private sector bids would be entertained would be the Brechin Castle sugar factory which was shut down after this year’s crop and Caroni’s Rum Distillery. However, Chadee continued, the Ministers said extensive discussions would have to be held in these areas. The accountant said that in the meantime, the investors try to assist former Caroni employees in any way that they can.

Chadee revealed that the group of investors, referred to repeatedly by Maharaj, were a group of 29 corporations and individuals based in the United States and Canada. The group includes chairman of the World Business Forum Mamadoo Sis, chairman of the Business Council of Indian Origin “Mr Poorana” and a New York-registered company called IQ Financial Services. Chadee said Poorana also has extensive business contacts in India. When contacted yesterday, Rahael confirmed that the meeting had taken place and events transpired exactly as Chadee described it. The Minister reiterated Government’s commitment to ensuring first preference to Caroni workers in terms of land and opportunities in the restructured company before turning its attention to private sector investment. Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday has condemned Maharaj’s actions as a ploy to bring United National Congress (UNC) supporters into his fold. Maharaj is currently in New York holding discussions on the formation of “a new political vehicle.”

PATHOLOGIST Dr Hughvon Des Vignes cannot say for sure how 11-year-old Akiel Chambers died. But he did find sperm in the boy’s anus which could have been placed there within 24 hours of Akiel’s death.

Dr Des Vignes said although he was given the cause of death as drowning (by the results of a first post-mortem), he would have expected to find water-logging of the lungs, which was not the case in Chambers’ death. But the pathologist could not rule out drowning. Questioned by Coroner Sherman Mc Nicolls about someone being killed and then thrown in a pool of water, Dr Des Vignes said if the body was submerged in excess of six hours, there would have been a marked wrinkling of the palms and soles of the feet which is normally called “washer women hands and feet.” In this case, because of the length of time the body remained between death and the second post-mortem (four days), there was no evidence of “washer women hands and feet.” Dr Des Vignes was the only witness to give evidence before Mc Nicolls at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court yesterday. He will return to be further questioned tomorrow. Mc Nicolls is conducting an inquest to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of Akiel Chambers whose body was found in the swimming pool of Charles and Annelore James at 23 Balata Terrace, Haleland Park, Maraval, on the morning of May 23, 1998.

Dr Des Vignes said he performed an autopsy on Akiel’s body at 3.45 pm on May 28, 1998, at Nella’s Funeral Home, Sunshine Avenue, San Juan. He found a white discoloration to the front of the knees and instep. There was a 2.5 cm abrasion or scrape over the front and towards the inside of the left knee. He said Akiel’s skull had not been opened during the first post-mortem. The heart and lungs, he added had been cut. There was no significant oedema or water-logging of the lungs. Dr Des Vignes said samples were taken for microscopic examination and swabs were removed from the oral and anal cavities for microscopic tests as well. Dr des Vignes said tests showed spermatozoa in the anus. The pathologist said even if there was water-logging of the lungs, water would have run out from the body between the time of recovery and his post-mortem. The Coroner asked: “If a child is killed and thrown in the pool of water, will his lungs be water-logged?” Dr Des Vignes replied, “there will no be significant water-logging of the lungs if he was dead before going into the water.” Questioned by court prosecutor Sgt Kenneth Cordner, Dr Des Vignes said there were no signs of “washer women hands and feet” on Akiel’s body by the time he did the post-mortem. Asked if there were unusual marks to the neck of the boy, the pathologist said because of the cuts done at certain institutions in the country (from the neck to the pubis), such evidence would have been destroyed.

A 35-YEAR-OLD relative was expected to be charged late last night with the murder of a 27-year-old mother of two, who was found hanging at her home on Friday night.

The file on the case was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffery Henderson late yesterday evening, after an autopsy revealed that Sherry Ablack had been strangled. Up to last night, investigators were still awaiting instructions from the DPP to charge the suspect who is detained at the San Fernando Homicide Bureau. If the suspect is charged, he would appear before a Siparia Magistrate today. The mother of two lived with her common-law-husband Khemchan Maharaj at July Branch Trace, Penal Rock Road. She was the mother of two girls aged five and six.

Police sources said Ablack had been the victim of physical abuse by a relative who threatened to kill her on several occasions. Police sources said Ablack, who worked at MS Food City Supermarket, Debe, was too scared to leave the man. Her husband, Maharaj, had told police that he last saw his wife alive around 7.30 pm, on Friday, after he returned home from liming with a friend. He said he went to bed and when he got up around 8.15 pm, found her hanging from a piece of hammock rope secured to the rafters of the gallery. PCs Haynes and De Peisa are investigating.

A 13-year-old boy appeared in the Scarborough Magis-trates’ Court yesterday afternoon charged with raping and buggering a teenaged girl as well as maliciously wounding the victim. The incident reportedly occurred in a bushy area off Scarborough last Thursday. The lanky six-footer, whose appearance belies his age, was remanded in custody when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Annette McKenzie in the Scarborough First Court on three separate charges of rape, buggery, and malicious wounding. He was charged by Detective PC Wintley Kerr, of the Scarbor-ough CID and is to reappear in court next week.

A 25-YEAR-OLD paraplegic who was also a mute, perished in a fire which destroyed his Debe home yesterday morning.

Police investigators strongly believe Vijay Balgobin, who could neither have run out of the burning house nor call for help, may have started the fire which eventually took his life. He was known to be in the habit of playing with matches. The house did not have an electricity supply. Balgobin, who lived with his mother Dulcin Balgobin, 58, and his cousin, Amid, at Cuchawan Trace, Debe, was reportedly at home alone when the incident occurred at about 8.20 am. Balgobin’s mother had left the house for a few minutes to purchase fish from a passing van. The deceased’s aunt Sampatie Jairam, 50, left home to drop her six-year-old granddaughter to school, while Balgobin’s cousin Amid, was also not at home. The smoke from the fire was spotted by neighbours who ran to the burning house and tried in vain to rescue the helpless paraplegic. After being alerted by neighbours about the fire, both Dulcin and her sister Jairam, also ran to the house but they too could not get inside.

Balgobin’s ailing mother reportedly screamed and fainted, when she realised nothing could be done to save her trapped son. She was taken in an EHS ambulance to the San Fernando General Hospital, and up to yesterday evening, she had not returned home. Roger Loubin, 28, told Newsday he was standing in front of Balgobin’s aunt’s house when he saw the smoke. “I thought it was some rubbish burning,” Loubin said. He added that only when he saw flames licking the walls of the house, did he realise the fire was a major one and that the house was burning. Wiping tears from her eyes, Jairam related how she heard her mute nephew screaming in agony and could only watch helplessly, as the house was rapidly engulfed in the flames, burning Balgobin beyond recognition.  Jairam said Balgobin was unable to walk or talk from birth, and she had been assisting her sister, Dulcin, to take care of  the disabled man. She denied that he was accustomed playing with matches. “He never touch nothing. He could not hold anything,” she said. However, her daughter, Susan, who had gone to spend her birthday yesterday with her mother, said Balgobin used to play with matches and pieces of cloth. She said he used sign language to communicate and used to laugh all the time. DMO Dr Bijai Balliram viewed the remains of the body and ordered it removed to the Forensic Science Centre, St James, where an autopsy was due to be carried out yesterday afternoon. Visiting the scene were a party of San Fernando CID detectives and firemen. The fire has also left Balgobin’s ailing mother Dulcin and cousin Amid, homeless. Investigations are continuing.