THE quiet rural village of Brazil in San Rafael, was plunged into mourning following the freak death of 12-year-old schoolboy Nathan Rose, who died instantly when he was run over by a van on Saturday night. Rose, who attended the Brazil RC School, was riding his bicycle which collided with another ridden by his brother. Rose fell in the road and into the direct path of the oncoming van. His small, bloodied body lay on the Brazil Main Road for over 20 minutes before it was taken to the Mortuary of the Arima Hospital. Rose’s father Terrance Rose along with Cpl Winston Gomez and PC Wellington of the San Rafael Police Station, visited the scene. The schoolboy’s death sent the road fatality rate to 119 so far for the year. According to police reports, around 8.15 pm, David,14, and his brother Nathan were riding their bikes along the Brazil Main Road, when the bicycle of David collided with Nathan’s, causing him (Nathan) to lose control.

He fell from the bicycle and onto the road, where he was struck by a van travelling north along Brazil Main Road, near the Jai Ramkissoon housing scheme. Rose reportedly died almost immediately from the head injuries. An autopsy will be carried out today at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. At Brazil Village yesterday, the Rose family was still in shock over the youngster’s untimely death. Theresa Hyde-Rose, the mother of the dead boy consoled her son David who witnessed the tragic death. As tears streamed down her face, Hyde-Rose said Nathan who was always assisting someone in the village, left home on Saturday with his brother David, to accompany one of their friends home at Brazil Lome Trace. She said that she only learned of the accident around 8.25 pm, when David came home and told her. The grieving mother of three said her husband Terrance rushed to the scene and took his already dead son to hospital, in company with the police. In the meantime, Hyde-Rose said she prayed to the Almighty, to spare the life of her child. However, her prayers went unanswered. When she was told the dreaded news that her son had died, Hyde-Rose said she went into a state of shock and was comforted by friends and neighbours. She said that her son was well known in the village and everyone who knew him, was plunged into grief and sadness. Newsday learned that the van which struck Nathan was taken to the San Rafael Police Station. The driver is assisting police in their investigations. Cpl Gomez is investigating.

THE common-law wife of kidnap victim Darryl Chotoo, who police presume is dead, is hoping and praying that he is still alive. Carmel Ann Maraj, who asked for her photo not to be taken, is also pleading with the public who may have valuable information regarding her husband’s whereabouts, to pass it on to the police. Maraj, the mother of Chotoo’s 14-month-old daughter, said yesterday she was tired of crying and is still hoping that he is alive. Maraj was in company with Darryl at their humble El Socorro home on the night of June 30, when three kidnappers broke down a door and snatched Darryl from the house. Maraj claims to be traumatised ever since. As tears filled her eyes yesterday, the grieving woman explained that she has not been able to sleep properly since Darryl was kidnapped. “He was such a wonderful person, a caring father and a generally good person, and I am hoping that he is still alive,” said the saddened woman.

Maraj said she was happy to learn the Coast Guard did not find the body or remains of her husband in a caiman-infested pond in Caroni during searches on the weekend. She refuted reports that her husband was involved in illegal activities and said he  never troubled anyone, but lived a humble life and was looking forward to seeing his baby daughter grow up. Yesterday, a 22-year-old man of Point Fortin was charged with the kidnapping of Chotoo. Two others have already been charged with the saidkidnapping. Investigators will consult with Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson today to decide how to proceed with their investigations. Investigators said yesterday that based on statements received, Chotoo is dead. Beharry Maraj, the father of Carmel Ann said that he too is traumatised by the whole incident and pointed out that Darryl was a good person. He also is hoping that Chotoo is still alive.

BASDEO PANDAY’S betrayal of the country’s sugar workers has sealed his political demise and those same workers are hopeful of brighter days under Prime Minister Patrick Manning and the People’s National Movement (PNM). These were some of the findings of the latest NACTA poll taken following Caroni (1975) Limited’s closure two weeks ago. The survey interviewed 179 sugar workers, 84 non-sugar workers who live in the sugar belt and 54 non-sugar workers who live outside of the sugar belt. The respondents pointed out that Panday’s “entry into politics was through the sugar union (All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers Trade Union (ATSGWTU) and his exit is now based on the abandonment of the very workers who helped him to attain high office.” They said sugar workers never benefitted under the United National Congress (UNC) government and Panday “did virtually nothing to secure their interests not even offering them land for agriculture” but was  “only interested in the big boys in Port-of-Spain.”

According to the findings, 78 percent of the respondents either felt betrayed or disappointed that neither Panday nor ATSGWTU President-General Rudranath Indarsingh did not come to comfort or offer solidarity to them when Caroni was closed and they were receiving their VSEP cheques. Of the combined 317 workers interviewed, a whopping 81 percent said Panday “neglected the sugar workers when he was in a position to assist them” while 72 percent felt Panday and Indarsingh “should have grounded with the workers on the last day of the industry.” The workers said notwithstanding their contribution to the industry and Trinidad and Tobago, all of their leaders (including UNC MPs) deserted them in their hour of need. The ATSGWTU also came under fire, as workers noted “there was no significant additional benefits to the VSEP package after the union won the case in the Industrial Court” but there was “a complete role reversal of the union’s position on VSEP.” 

Asked if they thought Panday cared about the concerns of the sugar workers, 56 percent of all respondents said no. While 59 percent of the respondents were unsure about Manning’s sincerity towards sugar workers, “many pointed out that Manning’s package for sugar workers was still better than Panday’s in the latter’s plan to close down Caroni.” In fact, some respondents were grateful “some non-UNC politicians gave them hope and encouragement for the future.” On the issue of land distribution, the overwhelming majority of respondents believe the bulk of Caroni’s lands will go to friends and relatives of government officials and union officials instead of the workers. They are particularly fearful that Agriculture Minister John Rahael has “his eyes set” on Caroni lands and have no confidence in him restructuring Caroni or protecting its lands. Responses were mixed as to whether Manning could prevent rich land developers from making a mad dash for Caroni lands. While respondents believe the sugar industry can be successfully restructured and profitable through an infusion of Government capital, they expect “ghost towns to rise in several areas of Central and South and that more jobs will be lost when sugar workers VSEP money finish.” The sugar workers said they have lost faith in the PNM and UNC politicians and believe “there should be a third force” to represent the interests of the poor, under-represented and the working class.

A 48-YEAR-OLD vendor who allegedly “cursed” newly appointed San Fernando Mayor Ian Atherly, is expected to appear before a San Fernando Magistrate today. The man, who police said had no fixed place of abode, reportedly committed the crime while Atherly was on an unofficial visit to the San Fernando Central Market on Saturday. According to reports, around 11.15 am Atherly was walking around the market when upon nearing the fish section, one of the vendors began shouting obscenities at him. Police said the mayor became annoyed and later went to the San Fernando police station where he made a report and gave a description the person who cursed him. Ag Sgt Bovell, Cpl Charles and PC Rangoo made inquiries and picked up the suspect at the market. Mayor Atherly positively identified the alleged offender, and police charged him with  using obscene language in a public place.

A CUREPE woman, who three weeks ago claimed she was kidnapped by four men, and for whose safe release a ransom of $20,000 was paid, was arrested over the weekend along with four men by St Joseph police, whose investigations showed she was never kidnapped. Police are working on information that the 17-year-old woman and a 23-year-old male friend, planned the kidnapping in order to extort money from a relative of the young woman. St Joseph police received a report of kidnapping on Monday July 21 and began investigations. The teen was released near UWI in St Augustine four days later, after a ransom of $20,000 was paid at Gulf City, San Fernando. Officers arrested the alleged victim and four men at a house in Curepe.

IN WHAT was the second murder committed during Arima Borough Day celebrations, a group of about 20 men went on a rampage early yesterday morning, beating and stabbing a father of two to death. The group later turned on a friend of the deceased, stabbing him also. Another man was also severely beaten by the group. The death of 31-year-old Sean Pierre came a day after Dwight Lewis, 18, a former professional player with local club Jabloteh, was fatally stabbed while liming and taking in Borough Day celebrations at an Arima bar. No one has been held for the murders, but Arima police assured that arrests were imminent. The two murders marred this year’s Borough Day celebrations, although officials at the Arima Borough Corporation assured a peaceful celebration since there was a larger than normal police presence for the festivities.

Pierre’s death has sent the murder number for the year to 141, 31 away from last year’s toll of 172. At the Pinto Road home of the deceased, several friends had gathered and were busy erecting a tent for the wake. Pierre’s grieving brother Sherwin, 34, told Newsday he, Pierre and their friends attended the Arima Borough celebrations on Saturday. He said around 12.30 am yesterday, they were standing at St Joseph Street, when a man snatched his (Sherwin) gold chain and pendant, worth $3,000. Sherwin claimed one of his friends managed to “lock” the neck of the bandit and a struggle ensued. The suspect managed to escape with the chain. Sherwin said shortly after, a group of about 20 men, who he  believed were friends of the chain snatcher, pounced on them. A man who was standing on top a van, jumped from the vehicle and threw Sean to the ground. The man stabbed Sean in the back with a long silver blade and then fled the scene.

Another man was also stabbed while a third person was beaten about the body. Both were taken to the Arima District Hospital, where they were treated and discharged. Sean was not so lucky. He died on the spot. Arima police were alerted and carried out an unsuccessful search for the group. Pierre’s sombre friends told Newsday he never bothered anyone and did not deserve such a violent death. Police investigators told Newsday that they have interviewed several persons and arrests are imminent. Cpl Jones of the Arima CID is continuing investigations. Meanwhile, police sources said that a warrant had been issued for the arrest of a 28-year-old man in connection with the murder of Lewis, who was fatally stabbed after a bottle-throwing incident.

A 30-YEAR-OLD Chase Village man was shot four times over the weekend, at his apartment by two men whom he knows. According to reports, around 11 am on Saturday, Davie Assing was at his apartment at Derrick Road, Chase Village, when he was called out by the men. The men spoke briefly with Assing and then shot him four times, before escaping in a car. A report was made to police and a team of officers led by Sgt Dennis Housed and including Sgt Peter Burke, PC Figure and others visited the scene and took the bleeding man to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. Up to yesterday, Assing remained warded in stable condition under police guard after having undergone emergency surgery. No arrests have been made and investigations are continuing.

The inquest into the death of 11-year-old Akiel Chambers, whose body was found in a Maraval pool on May 24 1998 following a pool-party at the home of a classmate, is set to begin today. Chambers was last seen during a pool-party on May 23 at the home of local race-horse mogul Charles James. The party, intended to celebrate the 11th birthday of James’s youngest daughter Carie, was marred by the disappearance of and subsequent death of Chambers. Chambers’ aunt and maternal guardian Valerie Pascall, dressmaker residing on Henry Street Port-of-Spain,  was horrified when she arrived at the party at around 6 pm and found the 11-year-old’s clothes but could not locate him. Following a frantic inspection by Pascall, passionate examination of the area by friends, and a meticulous search by police officers attached to the Maraval Police Station, the body was not found. When the police returned to the scene on the following day, the body of young Chambers was reportedly found in a crouched position at the bottom of the back-yard pool.

Pascall maintains that she instructed her nephew not to go into the pool, but there are conflicting eye-witness reports regarding his whereabouts during the party. A post-mortem performed by forensic pathologist Dr Hughvon des Vignes revealed that Chambers had been the victim of sexual molestation which dated back a few years. In addition to the marks of sexual molestation, traces of fresh human spermatozoa were allegedly found during the post-mortem. According to des Vignes, this is an indication that Chambers had experienced molestation within a few hours of his death. Chambers’ mother Deborah was residing in London at the time of the incident. His father, Rawle, with whom he lived following his mother’s migration in 1996, placed him in the care of his aunt in order to facilitate his education at Blackman’s Private School in Maraval. When in April 2000 the death was ruled an accidental drowning, the family’s attorney Donna Prowell-Raphael sent a letter to then DPP Mark Mohammed detailing her client’s dissatisfaction with the ruling. Less than a month later, Mohammed, ordered that the inquiry be re-opened. The inquest will commence today before a Port-of-Spain magistrate at NIPDEC house.