The burnt and decomposed body of a man was discovered in a drain at Orange Field Road, Carapichaima, around 9.30 am yesterday.

Police believe that the body may be that of Darryl Chootoo, who was kidnapped from his El Socorro home about three weeks ago. A ransom was demanded for his safe return, but relatives claimed that they were not in possession of any money to pay a ransom. Two suspects in the kidnapping were detained by the police and gave statements that they shot Chootoo and then dumped his body in Caroni. Police investigators told Newsday that they are working on a theory that the body of Chootoo, which may have been dumped at Caroni, was removed from that scene and transported to Carapichaima. They also believed that tyres were placed around the body and diesel poured on the bloated body in an attempt to burn the corpse. Police investigators discovered tyres and, diesel fuel close to the body. They also believe that an open tray van was used to transport the body.

Senior officers claimed that a jersey was used to cover the face of the murder victim and his hands appeared to have been tied. The body was clad in a blue jeans and a shirt. Maggotts were seen crawling over the decomposed body of the victim. Investigators will use dental records, the clothing and whatever prints they could find to trace the identity of the body found. The body was viewed by District Medical Officer Dr Vishnu Geelal who ordered its removal  to the Forensic Science Centre. A party of officers led by Snr Supt Philip Carmona, and including ASP Anthony Bernard, Sgts Sylvester, Burke, Ag Sgt Ajith Persad, and PCs Ramsook, Alexander,  Edward Ali and others went to the scene and carried out inquiries. Cpl Cudjoe of the Crime Scene Unit removed bits of evidence from the scene. Marlon Rampersad, a relative of kidnap victim Darryl Chootoo was allowed to view the body, but he claimed that due to the state of decomposition he could not identify the body. Sgt Sylvester of the Freeport Police Station is investigating.

Officers of the Besson Street Police Station were up until late yesterday trying to apprehend a bandit who is believed to have been shot in an exchange of gunfire at Codrington Street, Port-of-Spain.

Reports revealed that around 5 am yesterday, Winston Charles of East Dry River was held up by three men in a car who robbed him of an undisclosed amount of cash. Police officers were alerted, and an All Points Bulletin was sent out to all police mobile units in Port-of-Spain. The car with the three occupants was spotted at Observatory Street, and a chase ensued followed by a shootout. An occupant of the car is believed to have been shot, while his two other accomplices escaped. All medical institutions were alerted to be on the lookout for the injured man.

Justice Mark Mohammed yesterday did not grant leave to Deputy Chief Magistrate Deborah Thomas-Felix to seek judicial review of the decision of Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls to assign her to San Fernando Magistrates’ Court. The judge noted that if he was to grant the relief sought by Thomas-Felix, it would be detrimental to good administration.

Thomas-Felix wanted the judge to quash Mc Nicolls’ decision, claiming that the journey to San Fernando aggravated her back injuries and that she was under threat of being kidnapped and murdered while travelling to her new posting. Some attorneys said last night that Thomas-Felix could appeal Justice Mohammed’s ruling. Another major reason for not granting leave was that Thomas-Felix had filed her application for review out of the statutory time limit. She had a three-month cut-off date in which to file her documents but instead took six months and two weeks. Justice Mohammed did not accept the reasons advanced by Thomas-Felix’s lawyers for her late filing as being reasonable and sensible, and indicated that in the circumstances, he would not exercise his discretion and extend the time. He also noted that the other grounds argued did not pass the threshold required for allowing leave. Arguing her ex-parte application were attorneys Douglas Mendes and Stuart Young, instructed by Nicha Cardinez.

Douglas had argued that Thomas-Felix did not file for leave when the decision was made to assign her to San Fernando on January 8, 2003, because she was hoping that the matter would be settled without having to expose it to the public. But Justice Mohammed noted that the newspaper clipping in her bundle of documents indicated that much exposure had already taken place.  It was strongly argued that her back injury, aggravated by the “long” journey, kept her away from court and that she was under doctor’s orders to remain in bed. Mendes further argued that Mc Nicolls knew of her illness and “shocked her out of the blue” by sending her to San Fernando. Mendes said that it was like a demotion because Thomas-Felix then performed the duties of a senior magistrate and that she was deprived of the staff of the Deputy Chief Magistrate.

In Justice Mohammed’s judgment, he said: “Application for judicial review should be made promptly and in any event within three months from the date when grounds of the application first arose unless the court considers that there is good reason for extending that period. “The Court may refuse to grant leave when applying for judicial review if it considers that there has been undue delay in making the application, and that the grant of any relief would cause substantial hardship to or substantial prejudice to the rights of any person or would be detrimental to good administration.” Justice Mohammed delivered his judgment shortly before 6.00 pm yesterday, but not before retiring on three occasions to consider submissions made by Mendes. Mendes first related the history of Thomas-Felix’s case to have Mc Nicolls reconsider his decision, and referred to several exchanges of correspondence between the Chief and his Deputy. He told the Port-of-Spain Fourth Civil court that Thomas-Felix had behaved sensibly and reasonably and ought not to be penalised for putting off filing her legal action.  He even told the Court about a threat which specified that Thomas Felix would be kidnapped and murdered while on her way to San Fernando. He said security had to be beefed up for the magistrate.

IAN Harripersad met an untimely  death when the trunk of a 40-foot immortelle tree broke, crashing on top of him on Monday. But his 72-year-old mother, Dayiah, seemed to have sensed her son’s death for the last two weeks.

According to the deceased’s sister, June Rangoo, their mother seemed focused on Harripersad and kept talking about him. Speaking from the gallery of the Harripersad’s Fyzabad home where the deceased’s siblings had gathered yesterday, Ragoo told Newsday: “She (their mother) was only asking for him. Asking when he coming to see her, and why he not coming.”

According to police reports, around 1.45 pm, Harripersad was cutting grass with a brush-cutter at Trin Khan Oil Company Limited, Quinam Beach Road, Siparia, when, without warning, the trunk of an immortelle tree broke, sending the top half of the tree crashing down on Harripersad and killing him instantly. Hours before the freak accident, Harripersad’s mother’s mood turned sombre. “Mammy had a feeling since in the morning that something was wrong. She was very sad. Then in the afternoon I went upstairs and saw her crying. I asked her why she was crying and she did not answer.” June said. 

By the time news of Harripersad’s death reached the family, his elderly mother seemed to have fallen into a trance. “She is not really talking or anything. Although she is watching you, it look like she not really seeing you,” June explained. The deceased’s younger brother, Neil Rangoo, told Newsday his brother’s co-workers believed the loud noise of the brush cutter, prevented Harripersad from hearing the tree trunk as it cracked and fell. “They said that during the crop time, that tree was on fire for two weeks straight, before it burnt out on its own. Nobody paid attention to it until Monday,” Neil Rangoo said. Company officials, when contacted, refused to comment on Harripersad’s death.

Amidst a protest held outside Whitehall by a small group of citizens concerned about the state of crime in the country, members of the local business community held their second meeting with Prime Minister Patrick Manning, Minister of National Security Howard Chin Lee and Acting Commissioner of Police, Everald Snaggs.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, President of the TT Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), Anthony Hosang, revealed that they had brought their concerns and a number of proposals before the Prime Minister and now were “absolutely certain” that he was well appraised of the situation. He noted that the Commissioner had outlined a number of planned strategies which he is to present at a meeting today. “We feel that the Commissioner has his head on and that the strategies will address many of the problems we are facing presently,” Hosang stated. He maintained that the business community was satisfied with the outcome of the meeting and said that they had been “graciously received” by the Prime Minister at very short notice, which augured well for the future. When questioned as to whether the business community had listed the removal of Howard Chin Lee from his position as Minister of National Security, Hosang replied that this was not for them to decide. “We are not crime specialists. We are business people, we have our businesses to run and the decisions and strategies adopted have to be decided by the National Security team,” he asserted. Hosang said, “We all have to work closely. Not every plan or strategy may work, but we have to be proactive, work with the government and keep on trying. However, the situation demands that the proposals be implemented with an air of urgency.”

Prime Minister Manning described the discussions with the businessmen as fruitful as he addressed members of the media after the meeting. However, he was reluctant to divulge any more information on the matter, stating instead that the Commissioner of Police would make a statement at his conference today. He, however, assured the public of the Government’s commitment to returning TT to acceptable levels of security. “We understand and appreciate that a difficult situation is facing all of us at this time,” he said, adding, “the Government is confident that we can and will overcome it.” Manning allayed fears that there would be a state of emergency, noting that he did not think it was needed or that it would have the effect expected by people. “The state of security in TT is relative to the state of security in other countries and while we are in a situation here that we do not consider acceptable, we are far better off than other countries,” he said.

FOR the second consecutive Local Government Elections, the United National Congress (UNC) benefited from the luck of the draw, when the Opposition party grabbed control of the tied Rio Claro/Mayaro Regional Corporation following the drawing of lots, at the Corporation’s Rio Claro chambers yesterday.

At the 1999 Local Government Elections, the Siparia Regional Corporation which after voting was deadlocked at four seats each for the UNC and PNM, went into the UNC’s control after the drawing of Lots. However, unlike the 1999 drawing, there was no ‘bacchanal, as both parties accepted the result, with Ortoire/Mayaro MP Franklyn Khan, observing that yesterday’s draw was both “free and fair.”

At the 1999 drawing of lots to decide the tied Siparia Regional Corporation, fingers were pointed and voices raised after the CEO of that Corporation was given a deciding vote during the process.Yesterday’s drawing of lots at Rio Claro, which was drafted by the Ministry of Local Government, was supervised by the Local Government Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Terrance Jurawan and Legal Advisor, Carlton A George. The process was chaired by the Corporation’s CEO, Motilal Ramsingh. The procedure included the swearing-in of successful councillors from both PNM and UNC, followed by nominations for two aldermen by both the PNM and UNC councillors. After voting for aldermen by the councillors, was predictably tied at 3-3, the nominees’ names (four in all), were placed in a bowl and two members of the public gallery were invited to pull the winning names. Both UNC alderman nominees — Grace Ramsajan and Ramlochan Panchoo — were successful at the draw, which now saw the Opposition party assuming control of the Corporation, commanding five seats on the eight-member executive committee.

Speaking to reporters after the draw, Local Government Minister Jarrette Narine, expressed satisfaction at the “democracy, fairness and transparency” of the exercise. “I think that everything worked out well this morning,” Narine said, adding that the law governing an electoral tie had been allowed to take place, “fair and free from interference by any political people.” Narine said, “although it did not go my way or my party’s way, the PNM is always a fair party and our Ministers are persons of dignified calibre.” And in response to a reporter’s question on the type of bowl used in the draw, Narine said the CEO had used “what was at hand,” and was in full accordance to the law. Narine also expressed the hope that the victorious UNC aldermen, together with the councillors, would “be fair and equitable in their treatment of areas not under their immediate control.” In full agreement was Ortoire/Mayaro MP, Franklyn Khan, who said that the process was “fair, free and according to the law.” Khan, whose constituency encompasses the Regional Corporation’s area, also congratulated all of the successful councillors.

Meanwhile, UNC Senator Sadiq Baksh said he too was “pleased” with the results. “The process was done in a fair and equitable manner and we did not have a problem with it.” The successful UNC alderman Ramlochan Panchoo said “hard work and God,” had triumphed in the draw for control of the Corporation. The PNM councillors are Dansam Dansook (Ecclesville), Matthew Pierre (Mayaro) and Fitzroy Ottley (Cocal/Mafeking), while UNC councillors are Hazarie Ramdeen (Rio Claro North), Gangaram Ramlogan (Rio Claro South) and Glen Ram, (Biche). By Friday, the Corporation’s Chairperson and deputies, are expected to be sworn in.

ALTHOUGH conceding that the outcome of the July 14 Local Government Election had caused a “measure of concern” within the ranks of the UNC, Senator Sadiq Baksh has said that the party’s leadership would continue “indefinitely.”

He was speaking to reporters after the swearing-in of councillors and election of Aldermen at the Rio Claro/ Mayaro Regional Corporation yesterday. That Corporation, which was tied at 3-3 following the Local Government Elections, fell into the UNC’s control following the drawing of lots yesterday. Baksh, who led a full contingent of UNC MPs in support of the party’s successful councillors, said that the party was “rebuilding” in anticipation of the 2007 General Election campaign. “We recognise that we have lost ground, but we remain committed to working harder to make sure that we regain that ground and do even better when the next General Elections comes around,” Baksh said.

And, on the question of the party’s leadership, Baksh was more definitive, saying the position was not under review. “Well, I want to tell you that the leaders of the UNC will change from time to time,” he said. “But the leadership of the UNC will continue well into the future, indefinitely.” However, UNC chairman Wade Mark said the question of the party’s leadership would be dealt with when the UNC holds its internal elections towards the end of 2003. Mark said the UNC hopes to have a new constitution in place before it holds these elections at which, all posts, including that of political leader, will be up for grabs. No one knows if UNC leader Basdeo Panday will be challenged.

THE TWO men who were arrested and charged in connection with the kidnapping of Damien Schneider, yesterday maintained that they were innocent of the crime with which they were charged when they appeared before Magistrate Ejenney Espinet in the Port-of-Spain First Magistrates’ Court.

The two men, Carlos Richardson and Roger Gilliard, both of Duncan Street, Port-of-Spain, appeared before Magis-trate Espinet charged with kidnapping Schneider from Sandhurst Street, Belmont, on July 13. Gilliard has also been charged with stealing Schneider’s RBTT card at the same location. When the men appeared before Magistrate Espinet, Richardson, who was not represented, informed the court that he was innocent of the crime Gilliard’s attorney, Richard Mason also maintained that his client was innocent of the charge and entered an application for bail. However, Espinet informed the men that she was turning down the application since the crime was committed while the men were outside on bail. Mason then advised the court that his client was not on bail at the time of the offence. The magistrate, however, informed him that the bail application was denied.The two men were arrested on Saturday night by Cpl Jones of the Belmont CID and were later charged for the offences. The matter was adjourned to tomorrow.

A MAN who appealed a six-year sentence for armed robbery of a motor vehicle  got his sentence reduced to three years’ hard labour by Justice Wendell Kangaloo after he was informed that he would get a “sentencing discount” for good character. The matter came before Justice Margot Warner and Justice Kangaloo in the Magisterial Appeals held at the Port-of-Spain Court of Appeal yesterday. Following the confirmation of the three-year sentence, the family of accused David Bharath broke down in tears.

Attorney Ryan Cameron appeared on behalf of accused David Bharath to appeal the severity of the sentence. At the trial, Cameron explained that Bharath, who was 22 years old at the time, was jointly charged with Duruk Bachus for robbing Hansraj Rajbally at knife point of his Nissan Blue Bird, at Centre Pointe Mall, Chaguanas, on June 24, 1994. Cameron explained that although Bharath had a clean record, he was sentenced to the same period as Bachus, who had two previous offences at the time. Cameron explained that due to Bharath’s tender age and the fact that he had no previous or pending matters, he should have been dealt with in a different manner.

RUBETH Mathura related to her son, how she had to go down on her knees and beg for her life, when two men stormed her home and threatened to burn her alive in the house during the early morning hours of yesterday.

Mathura, 62, of Chickoree Trace, Pluck Road, San Francique, also said her assailants eventually tied her to a tree where she was forced to watch helplessly as they torched the house. Police sources told Newsday they are working on information which suggests that a 20-year-old dispute over the boundary lines between Mathura’s property and an adjoining piece of land, may be the reason for the arson attack. A 70-year-old man and his 40-year-old son were detained by police, hours after the attack. Up to late yesterday evening, they were still being questioned by police.

Reports on the incident indicate that around 2 am on Tuesday, the fire was started at Mathura’s wooden house. No one came to her assistance as her nearest neighbours live at least a mile away. The community is mainly rural, with the villagers engaging in agriculture. Siparia Fire officials said reports revealed that firemen were not contacted to deal with the fire. The station was informed of the incident only the next day, by police officers from the Siparia CID. Investigations have since been launched by the police and fire officers to determine the exact cause of the blaze.

Mathura’s son, Narace, informed Newsday that a High Court action was brought against his mother over the boundary line of the land. Narace further said that the family was often threatened to vacate the property. He said the threats grew more intense following the death of his father last year, which left Narace’s mother virtually alone in the house. Narace said his mother told him two men whom she knew, attacked her while she was asleep. “She told me they throw gas and kerosene all over the house and told her they going to burn her alive.” “They took her two cocoa-pod ‘beras’ (gold bracelets) and $500 from her pocket. But she begged and begged for her life, and eventually they carried her outside, tied her with rope to a tree and then set the house alight.” Narace said. Ag Insp Michael Wells and Cpl Oliver are leading invesigations.