A Maloney man yesterday appeared before Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls charged with the June 10, double murder of two teenagers. Terrence “Satan” Cedeno, 27, of Building 6, Maloney Gardens, is charged with the murder of Dane Mitchell, 18, former National boxer, and Dayon Reyes, 18, both of Spoonhill Terrace Maloney. Both men were shot at Piarco Old road, Red Hill D’Abadie. Mitchell was reportedly shot on the middle of his forehead, while Reyes was shot on the chest and arm. The charge was laid indictably by Sgt.Godson Andrews. Cedeno, who wore long ruffled hair and a black T-shirt, remained still and silent while the charge was being read. He then informed the magistrate that attorney Patrick Godson-Phillips would be representing him in the matter. Godson-Phillips was not present. Police officers assigned to the Port- of-Spain Magistrates’ Court, informed Newsday that when Cedeno arrived at the Court, he was instantly attacked and beaten by other prisoners who apparently recognised him, and were seeking revenge for prior altercations. Mc Nicolls adjourned the matter to June 27.
Patrick Squires, a father of three, was yesterday found guilty of sexual offences against a seven-year-old girl by a nine-member jury in the Port-of-Spain Fourth Criminal Court. He will be sentenced on Friday. Squires, a 45-year-old carpenter, was charged with having sex with a female under the age of 14 and buggery at Enterprise, on a day unknown in August 1999. The jury of seven men and two women deliberated for one hour and a half before relaying the guilty verdict to Justice Pamela Elder. State prosecutor Kathy-Ann Waterman presented evidence that the girl was sent by her mother to spend a week at Squires, a close family friend, in August 1999. Both Squires and the child’s mother were friends for 12 years prior to the incident. It was during the visit that Squires entered the girl’s room naked one night where he raped and then buggered her. When the girl returned home on August 28, 1999, she did not tell anyone about the incident as she was so instructed by Squires. However, shortly after, the girl’s mother observing her with coconut oil on her hands, asked the girl what she was doing.
The girl did not reply causing her mother to hit her once across her shoulder with a purse strap. The child then told her that the oil was to rub on her vagina. The mother asked how did she know to do that and it was then the girl told her what had occurred. The mother then took the child to the Chaguanas Police Station where a report was made to PC Kelvin Rajkumar. The defence claimed that the incident never occurred, and that it was fabricated. They alleged that the child’s mother saw the girl playing with herself and forced her to say that Squires had raped her, as the girl had recently returned from his house. Defence attorney Nathaniel King told the judge that Squires had been in jail since he committed the offence in 1999. He said Squires had children and he asked for leniency in the length of the jail term. Elder indicated that she would sentence the prisoner on Friday. Squires was then remanded in custody.
A REMAND prisoner caught with marijuana in the cell blocks of the San Fernando Magistrates Court, was jailed for six months yesterday after he pleaded guilty before a San Fernando Magistrate. Ronald John, 22, appeared before Magistrate Sonia Aleong. Police prosecutor Cpl Joey Samaroo said at around 2.50 pm on June 16, PC Thorne and other officers were on duty in the cell block of the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court. While carrying out a routine body search of the prisoners, PC Thorne saw John placed something into his pocket. The officer searched John and found an inhaler and a white plastic bag containing a gramme of marijuana, hidden inside the inhaler. Before passing sentence, Aleong asked John why he did what he did, in “a courthouse surrounded by police.”
A JURY deliberated for just half an hour yesterday, before returning with not-guilty verdicts for Henry Chadee and his daughter, Denese, both of whom were charged with possession of cocaine. Henry Chadee, 58, and Denese, 24, both of Piparo, were all smiles as they left the Second Criminal Assizes of the San Fernando High Court with their defence attorney Prakash Ramadhar. The prosecution’s case was that on May 7, 1999, members of the Organised Crime and Narcotics Unit (OCNU), led by Sgt Baldeo Nanan, found over one kilo of cocaine at Chadee’s house at Pascal Road, Piparo. Chadee, his daughter Denese and wife Dolly, were subsequently arrested and charged with cocaine trafficking. Dolly Chadee passed away before the matter could be brought to trial. Father and daughter maintained their innocence during the trial and Henry Chadee insisted he was set up by police. The State’s case was led by attorney Althea Alexis. The case was heard before Justice Alice Yorke-Soo Hon.
AMIDST a flurry of Nomination Day activity at the Elections and Boundaries Commissions (EBC) offices throughout Trinidad and Tobago, with 256 candidates filing nomination papers yesterday, came predictions of victory and allegations of voter intimidation and thuggery. PNM Deputy Political Leader Ken Valley said everything went well for that party’s 126 candidates. Valley however was surprised to hear about UNC allegations that PNM was attempting to use “muscle power and scare tactics” because groups of supporters accompanied each of its candidates. “PNM always has a big side to file nominations. That is the PNM way. So what is this scare thing about?” Valley asked. He said this practice began in 1990 when he fought the by-election. “And Morris (Marshall) and I walked to City Hall with one nice big side? We doing that for every election. We doing it in Diego Martin where were don’t even have (real) opposition,” he said. But UNC Local Government Election co-ordinator Chandresh Sharma insisted that while none of the Opposition’s 107 candidates had problems filing their papers, the UNC was concerned of reports reaching Rienzi Complex about PNM “muscle power and scare tactics” being used to intimidate its supporters ahead of the July 14 polls. The Fyzabad MP claimed the PNM was renewing the strategy it employed during last year’s general elections because it was “very worried” about losing next month’s elections and said the UNC would approach Police Commissioner Hilton Guy if their worst fears were realised. Sharma said he received reports of PNM candidates bringing large groups of either URP or CEPEP workers when they came to register and “were making a mockery of the system”. He also alleged that PNM candidates were giving out money and jobs to persons in their electoral districts to swing the vote in their favour.
Meanwhile the UNC’s political partner, the NAR, indicated that it was working feverishly up to yesterday morning to ensure that all 19 of its candidates were registered. NAR Political Leader Lennox Sankersingh said he had been actively involved in the process and no problems were encountered by any NAR candidate. Sankersingh said due to his involvement prior to and during yesterday’s nomination day activities, he could not say whether he agreed with Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday’s condemnation of Government’s new crime initiative which includes the formation of a special police-army unit to deal with gang warfare or the possibility of a looming split within the NAR over the national executive’s decision to team up with the UNC. The NAR’s Tobago arm has condemned the new UNC-NAR accomodation as nothing short of “a sell out” by the party’s leadership to the Opposition. The PNM is fielding candidates in all 14 local government bodies but the UNC seems to be trying to defend the seven bodies it controls. The NAR’s efforts are centered primarily in Port-of-Spain, Diego Martin and San Juan/Laventille. However UNC-NAR efforts to stem the PNM’s tide could be thwarted by both parties fielding candidates for the Sangre Grande and Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporations. Up to press time, Chief Elections Officer Howard Cayenne said the EBC was still receiving the A 21 forms from the Returning Officers. “No problems. Things are quiet here,” he said. He added that the EBC had one liasion officer for every six Returning Officers and these officers; in some instances the Returning Officers themselves, were bringing in the A 21 forms. “We will be here late because we need to get on with the printing of the ballot papers and before that is done, we have to know who the candidates are in each of the 126 electoral districts,” Cayenne said.
MEET Deonarine Ragoo — a man of many talents. Although visually impaired, the acting Manager of the South Blind Welfare Association was nominated as the UNC’s candidate to contest the upcoming Local Government Elections for the Ste Madeleine/Reform seat in the Princes Town Regional Corporation. Although partially blind, Ragoo is confident of his chances in the upcoming elections since as he says, “I come from a background of service.” Ragoo desires to be a leader representing the people in his community. Although visually impaired, he says he has a clear cut vision as to what he wants to achieve for his community if he is successful at the polls. When asked by Newsday if his ultimate selection was to gain sympathy votes for the Opposition UNC, Ragoo, 41, disagreed. Although partially blind from birth, Ragoo assured, “I have been in active politics since 1980; this is not window dressing.” However, he does admit that due to recent developments in the fight by the disabled for equality, this may have influenced the UNC hierarchy’s decision to select him. Ragoo told Newsday, “I don’t believe my selection is a coincidence; it is totally on merit.”
The UNC candidate for Ste Madeleine/Reform says that the UNC has truly helped the cause of the disabled. He said they were responsible for forming the Disabilities Affairs Unit, the Equal Opportunities Act and the Disability Grant. He said his platform is one of “mobilisation of the people to solve problems.” Ragoo operates a mini-mart from his home and pledges if he emerges victorious, he will place greater emphasis on sports and culture, spirituality and the upgrading of recreational facilities. Ragoo has been married to Ormalla for the past 18 years. The couple has three children — two girls and a boy. They are all supportive of his decision to enter active politics. Giving a brief biography, Ragoo said he started as an apprentice with the Blind Welfare Association in 1974 and five years ago, ascended to the managerial post he presently holds. During this time, he has been involved in marketing products and handicraft at the Blind Welfare and sensitising the public on works of the organisation.
SITA WEBB has sued the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) for $284,835 following the near collapse of her house at Diamond Village, San Fernando. Webb, 50, is accusing WASA of negligence as a result of a pipeline left unrepaired for four years, which caused water to seep into her yard and destroy her home. Incidentally, Webb has until next Wednesday to vacate her two-bedroom concrete house by order of the Public Health Authority of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation which has deemed the house too dangerous for occupation. The house began cracking in 1999 when a leaking main seeped water under the structure. The land became water-logged and the pillars gave way. Last year, the front of the house collapsed. The tiled floor split when the back pillars tilted, leaving several large gaping cracks and holes. In a writ for negligence filed in the Sub-Registry, San Fernando, Webb, a mother of two, is claiming compensation for the entire house, including fixtures and fittings. Webb said the burst water main sent volumes of water beneath her house and there was land movement resulting in the house cracking. It is on the verge of collapse, the statement of claim added.
Webb’s attorney, Imran Khan of the law firm Girwar and Deonarine, is contending that WASA acted negligently by failing to repair the pipeline to prevent extensive water seepage. Webb said she wrote letters to several WASA managers but to no avail. She also cited the Public Health Notice served on her on June 6, ordering her eviction within 21 days. Webb said WASA has offered her compensation in the sum of $25,000. In a letter outlining the offer, the authority stated that payment of the sum was not an acceptance of liability. Under particulars of special damages as outlined in the writ, Webb is claiming cost of building including VAT ($281,800); cost of quantity surveyors ($1,035); professional engineering services ($2,000). Webb’s total claim amounts to $284,835.
A man who was questioned by police for two days, over the murder of trainee teacher Debbie Ann Ramnath, was again arrested over the weekend after investigators received new information on the case. Police sources told Newsday that detectives went to the home of the man on Sunday and took him into custody. Up to yesterday he was being questioned by officers at San Fernando CID. The man had been detained by police last Tuesday, a day after Ramnath’s body was found at the side of a road near the Corinth Teachers Training College, which she attended. The woman had been beaten on the head and strangled. The suspect was released on Thursday evening. Ramnath, who was supposed to have written her final exams last week for her teacher’s diploma, had been married to Ryan Sagar, a fire fighter attached to the Chaguanas Fire Service, just over a year and lived in a downstairs apartment at her in-laws’ home in Diamond Village, San Fernando. Just six months ago, Ramnath, a former assistant teacher at the Fanny Village Government School, gave birth to a baby girl at the San Fernando General Hospital, but the infant only lived for ten days.
Ramnath’s husband told police that around 9 pm on June 15, she left home in her blue Sentra B13 to go to a nearby Quick Shoppe and then to her mother’s home where she wanted to study for her exams. However, around 6 am on Monday, her body was discovered sprawled at the entrance of her school. A blue bandana, which police believe had been used to strangle her, was tied around her neck. Investigators have ruled out robbery, as the woman’s jewelry was found in her possession and her car was discovered intact on Tuesday at the car park of the Gulf City Shopping Complex.
Murdered Trinidadian businesswoman Pramatee Celestine, who was shot dead at her Philadelphia apartment last Tuesday, will be laid to rest alongside her husband Eugene Celestine following a funeral service today. Eugene was also shot dead by the same man who killed Pramatee. Newsday learned that Eugene’s mother finalised all arrangements for the funeral yesterday. Seeta Rampersad, the sister of Pramatee Celestine was able to secure a US visa late yesterday to travel to the United States for the funeral. Yesterday, she pleaded with members of the public to assist her in purchasing a ticket. An emotional Rampersad told Newsday that she was able to secure the visa around 2.30 pm, after receiving assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She added that the US Embassy was also helpful.
Rampersad said that she desperately needed to see the face of her sister for the last time. The grieving woman pointed out that even if she misses the funeral, she intends to travel to Philadelphia to secure the interests of her two nephews Randy,10, and Michael, 14. She pointed out that it is her intention to seek custody of the two boys because her sister would have wanted that. The suspect in the two murders will appear in court on Wednesday. On Sunday, Chandroutee Rampersad, the mother of Pramatee missed her flight to the US. Yesterday, she was busy trying to arrange to travel to the States in time for the funeral.
IN HIS fifth day of cross-examination yesterday, star witness Byron Vespry denied he set up murder accused Glenroy London to save his own neck. Defence Attorney Ian Stuart Brooke put it to Vespry that he and his partner framed London after he stole a bag of cocaine from them. Vespry denied the allegations when he continued his testimony before a 12-member jury and Justice Melville Baird in the First Criminal Court of the San Fernando Assizes. Acting Assistant DPP Joan Honore-Paul is leading the State’s case. Brooke put it to the prosecution witness that in November 2000, he and Raymond had a bag of cocaine when they met London in Point Ligoure and Raymond tried to sell the narcotics for $50,000 at $8,000 per kilo. The attorney alleged that Raymond wanted London to try to negotiate for half the price but when Raymond would not back down, the accused snatched the bag containing the narcotics and ran off. Brooke put it to Vespry that sometime later he and his brother threatened to set up London with a murder case if he did not return the illegal drugs. Brooke asked the witness: “When you did not get the cocaine back or payment for it, then you gave London’s nickname ‘Boogs’ to the police?” Vespry denied the allegation. London, 43, a labourer of Point Ligoure, is on trial for the murder of Cedros gardener Clifford Mark on November 14, 2000. Vespry, who was in the gang that killed Mark, was granted immunity to testify against London, who he pointed out as the main participant in the murder. The case continues today at 9 am.
