POLICE are investigating the reported shooting of labourer Hugh Beatrice, who was shot twice around 8.15 pm Sunday. No motive has as yet been established but lawmen said they are working along certain lines.
Reports are that Beatrice, 48, was at his Quarry Street, Mt Pleasant, Arima, home when a lone gunman came up to him and shot him on the right thigh and left leg. Police said Beatrice was rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, where he is listed in stable condition. Acting Cpl Maraj and PC Gyan of the Arima Criminal Investigations Department (CID) visited the scene and conducted investigations. The former is continuing investigations.
Northern Division police are also investigating a report that around 5 am yesterday, PCs Bernard, Callender and others of the Arouca CID executed a search warrant at the Bon Air (West) home of a family. The officers found and seized a .357 Magnum revolver and three live rounds of .38 special ammunition. The officers then arrested a man and his wife and a family member, who reside at Beetham Estate. The three were charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition and were expected to put in a court appearance yesterday. Police also said that the firearm will be traced to determine if it was used in any illegal activities.
AMONG THE many developments following the offer of VSEP to Caroni workers is the matter of “land blocking” in the Glenroy fields, Garth Road, Princes Town.
Several persons have been building small houses with coconut trees to show that they have been occupying the lands, and last Sunday many of them were seen planting vegetables and drilling holes on the lands. The lands were abandoned by Caroni after the 2001 harvest after being deemed ‘non-profitable’. They had been left vacant and were overgrown with bushes until some individuals began clearing the lands and putting their marks in an effort to show they have been occupying the lots. According to Kenneth Sookhai, who has been living in Garth Road for the past 25 years, the mad grab for land began in January just after Caroni workers received their documents on the VSEP.
“A lot of strange people are now coming into the area and working as if it is their own private property,” he said. Sookhai, who said he had been employed with Caroni Limited for the past 22 years, said he was given a letter of comfort to squat on lands in Garth Road. However, his house stands on a half lot of land near the cane fields. Since the fields had been cleared following this year’s harvest, he had planned to plant vegetables to sell in the market. However, he had to deal with people who came in and built fences at the back of his house. “I am a quiet person. I don’t want any problems. I just want to live comfortably with my wife and two sons,” he said. Sookhai believes the people living in the area should be given preference for the lands for the purpose of planting sugar canes and other produce. He said the government has not outlined its plan to deal with Caroni lands, but people who have their roots in the sugar industry should be given the lands.
Trinidad and Tobago made a desperate fight yesterday against Jamaica on the final day of their Carib Beer Series regional cricket clash at the Queen’s Park Oval but still went under by five wickets to register their third consecutive loss.
Scores: TT 218 & 234 vs JAMAICA 332 & 123/5.
Chasing 121 runs for victory Jamaica stuttered to 41 for three and were in danger of not getting to their target but Keith Hibbert, with an unbeaten 40, pulled things around. He was however lucky to survive two chances in the same over from spinner Dave Mohammed as skipper Daren Ganga, standing at first slip, spilled both chances with the score at 54. After this Maurice Kepple and Jamaican captain Robert Samuels both fell for 16 but the result was a forgone conclusion. Hibbert and Gareth Breese brought in the win and 12 valuable points.
Earlier Trinidad and Tobago starting the day at 195 for six could muster only 234 as Jerome Taylor finished with the remarkable figures of eight for 59 — to finish with 10 wickets in the match. This prompted Samuels to remark: “Taylor is a beautiful bowler to watch. This youngster has been performing in the trials and although he didn’t make a great start to the series he has come back and come back good. He bowled very well with good line, length and pace and I think he can go very far.” Samuels also said he was very happy with the 12 points as Jamaica try to break into the final four to play for the international trophy. A disappointed Ganga said his players were outplayed and now they must pick themselves up for the final match that starts on Friday against the Leewards at St. Thomas.
“With the return of Brian Lara and Mervyn Dillon the team will be boosted and I think the players will come good in the final match. We desperately need to win this one to get into the big four, so we need to summon all at our disposal to get the win,” he said. Manager of the Trinidad and Tobago team Omar Khan was critical of his team’s performance and said the major problem the management has been having with the players in the mental aspect of their game. “This is a young team but there is no excuse for their poor performances. The guys need to turn up for the final match in good spirits because we still have a chance of getting into the knockout stage.” The TT team leaves today for St. Thomas. Brian Lara will return to Trinidad today and leave on Thursday to join the team for the crucial match starting the following day. Making way for the double world record batting star is Lincoln Roberts, while Dillon comes in at the expense of Theodore Modeste.
England-based goalkeeper Clayton Ince will miss Trinidad and Tobago’s Caribbean Zone Gold Cup qualifying final round football series later this month because of club commitments.
Ince plays in the English Second Division for Crewe Alexandra, who are in a tight race for promotion to the first division. “Ince has officially indicated that he will be unable to come home and play for this country at the Gold Cup qualifiers,” the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) reported. TT, the region’s number one ranked team, will face Antigua and Barbuda, Guadeloupe and Cuba from March 26-30 in CONCACAF’s Group “B” final round series from which the winner will advance directly to the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer in the United States and Mexico. The Group “A” series, featuring hosts Jamaica, Haiti, Martinique, and St Lucia, will be played March 26-30 in Kingston. Ince has been enjoying a solid season with Crewe, whose management has hinted that they are not looking forward to losing him for an important part of their season.
ROSEAU: West Indies “B” and the Windward Islands drew their four-day Carib Beer Series regional cricket match yesterday.
SCORES: Windward Islands 338 and 264/5 vs West Indies “B” 273 and 165/2.
The Windward Islands resumed on their overnight score of 97 for four in their second innings, giving them an overall lead of 162. Kenroy Martin was on zero and Junior Murray on nine. Martin went without scoring, caught and bowled Lorenzo Ingram. Rawle Lewis joined Murray and the two began a run chase. Lewis outpaced his senior partners and at lunch had scored 88 and Murray 68. The Windwards score was 246/5. The declaration came after lunch giving West Indies “B” some 240 minutes to score 312 for victory a chase that was never in the making, with 45 overs left and the mandatory 15 in the final hour. West Indies “B” face 2003 Carib Beer Cup champions Barbados in the seventh and final round — which begins Friday — before the semifinals. The Windwards face Guyana in the next round.
Relatives of Gerard Lewis, the prisoner who was found dead in a cell at the San Juan Police Station on Saturday, insisted yesterday that he did not commit suicide.
They are of the view that he was beaten to death, but a post mortem which was scheduled for yesterday was postponed to today because the mother of the dead man, who lives in Canada will arrive in the country today to identify the body. She asked the police yesterday to delay the post mortem until her arrival today. Gillian Garraway, a relative of the dead man insisted yesterday that Lewis was not a bandit nor a car thief. Newsday learned that Lewis never lived in one place and sometimes stayed at the home of his sister at Prizgar Lands, Laventill and at her home in Maloney. At the Forensic Science Centre yesterday, Garraway was allowed to view the body of Lewis. She said that she saw what appeared to be a mark around the neck of her cousin. Garraway added that the jersey which the police claimed Lewis used to hang himself at the cell of the station did not appear to be stretched. She revealed that her 25-year-old relative was never a suicidal person and loved his family very much.
The last time that she saw him alive was on Friday when he visited her and limed with her husband. She said that Lewis was also looking forward to seeing his mother who lives in Canada. Police officers said yesterday that Lewis was arrested on Saturday after he robbed a taxi-driver and two passengers. Reports revealed that around 11.15 am on Saturday, taxi-driver Gabriel Mejias was plying his taxi for hire, when Lewis asked to be taken to Alberto Street, St Joseph. On reaching Alberto Street, Lewis pointed a gun at Mejias and robbed him and two other passengers of cash. He then ordered them out of the vehicle and escaped in the car. A report was made to the San Juan Police and an All Points Bulletin was sent out to all police stations. Around 11.30 am, the car was seen in San Juan and Lewis was arrested. A .38 revolver was found in his possession.
Lewis was supposed to be placed on identification parades for other offences on Saturday but he complained of feeling unwell. Officers at the charge room at the San Juan Police Station claimed that Lewis was last seen alive at 1 pm. At 2 pm when they made a check, they saw him hanging from the ceiling at the cell. Newsday learned that during the day, police officers are required to make a check on prisoners in the cell block every hour and an entry is made in the diary. At nights they are required to make a check every half an hour and record their observations in the diary. Newsday learned that the mother of the dead man is expected to return to the country today and she has asked that a probe be launched into the death of her son. Police records revealed that Lewis had a matter pending in court for marijuana possession.
House Speaker Barry Sinanan has written to the National Trust stating that as far as he is aware the restored Red House is to be used “exclusively” for Parlia-ment. This is at sharp variance with what the country has been told by the Government.
The Speaker’s letter pre-dates the government’s declared intention to use the Red House for another purpose. The Government has made clear its intention to relocate the Parliament. The letter was dated February 20. The announcement of Government’s plan came on February 27 and was made by Minister of Public Administration, Dr Lenny Saith. The National Trust has officially written to the Speaker asking to what use the restored Red House was going to be put. The Speaker indicated in his reply that his understanding is the restored and adapted Red House is to be used exclusively by the Parliament upon its completion.
Sinanan also stated in the same letter that Phase 2 of the project —the restoration and renovation of the interior of the Red House to accommodate a modern Parliament — should have already started. This phase however has not even begun, partly due to delays as a result of the changes in government, the problem of funding and the intricate nature of the roof repairs which are currently being done. Sinanan is away for this week attending a conference in England on parliamentary practices and procedures.
Former Attorney General, Ramesh Lawrence-Maharaj said yesterday that Government’s decision to relocate the Parliament was illegal. “This decision is not in accordance with the settled Constitution convention and it would be contrary to the principles of public law,” he said. Maharaj said that the seat of Parliament cannot be changed by an Executive decision. He said requirements of Parliament, such as the site, housing and general suitability, could only be arrived at by a process of consultation involving the views of both Houses. This is normally done at the House Committee level and then a report presented to Parliament for further deliberation. Maharaj said the Executive is then entitled to make a decision, but only after discussion with members of the public, if that decision is contrary to the wishes of Parliament. Maharaj said that apart from the “immorality” and the lack of public consultation, the decision to oust Parliament for the Red House was also illegal. He said the Opposition, and any groups in the society can file for judicial review of the decision.
Independent Senator Kenneth Ramchand confirmed yesterday that judicial review was one of the options being considered. Ramchand said however that a public petition would be prepared in the first instance in an effort to get Government to review its decision. It is also understood that two motions — one in each House — will be filed by the end of this week, seeking to have Government reverse its decision to move the Parliament from its historic site. If this is done, the motion in the Upper House is expected to get the support of both the Opposition and Independent Senators, with the Senate President having to exercise a casting vote. Sources said that as long as the Presiding Officer understands that she/he must vote to maintain the status quo, any motion asking Government to leave the Parliament in the Red House is likely to to be approved..
Newsday was also informed that since the controversy developed, the Parliament department has been inundated with calls from persons wanting information, records, historical documents and (parliamentary) proclamations. It has also received many calls from distraught and concerned members who are against the move and who are arguing that the Parliament is bigger than the Office of the Prime Minister.
ARIMA Race Club president John O’Brien will not be standing for re-election at the club’s annual general meeting in May this year.
But O’Brien who steered racing out of a precarious state said he will continue on the management committee, “which is less burdensome.” He said, however, he will be duscussing his decision with members of the club before vacating the post. The decision according to O’Brien, has nothing to do with claims of undemocratic practices and favouritism by the ARC in giving approval to races in which his horses are entered.
O’Brien said according to the Rules of Racing, the Stewards are the final decision makers, and thinks their decision taken last week was fair. Owners and trainers voiced objection last week over the cancellation of a race on Saturday’s programme, which they felt should have been given approval. They claimed three other events with a similar field of seven runners and another with six were given the green light. This led to the Racehorse Trainers Association forwarding a letter of protest to the ARC, claiming the provisional programme including the events in contention, was published over a month ago and trainers were well advanced with preparations of their charges for the races.
The trainers further said it was heartbreaking for trainers who have expended so much time, energy, effort and money in the preparation of their animals for these events only to learn at the very last moment their horses would not be facing the starter because they were cancelled. O’Brien felt the decisons to cancel the particular event was the right one. He felt the preference given to the four races over the other was clear, “They simply don’t have regular races for the preferred bunches, unlike the $10,000 claimer, which is a fixture on every programme, “ he said.
Conflict of interest was also levelled against O’Brien who, apart from wearing the president’s cap, is also an owner, breeder and the champion trainer. O’Brien said it may seem there is a conflict of interest “ but this is so because of the small size of the racing fraternity. But one will hope that those chosen to fill posts have the wherewithal and strength of character to separate the rules.” Asked why the claiming races, instead of being cancelled were not added to the programme O’Brien said, “we decided on a maximum of 11 races. “Our records show that races programmed to start before noon takes less than 50 percent of betting to the later races, and from an ecnomical point it doesn’t make sense.”
An autopsy yesterday at the Eric Williams Medical Complex in Mt Hope revealed that ex-national Under-20 football captain Marvin Lee died of pneumonia. He will be buried at the Tunapuna Cemetery on Thursday after a funeral service from 3.30 pm at the Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence, Macoya, Tunapuna.
FIFA vice-president Jack Warner will bear all expenses for Lee’s funeral. Warner will be arriving today from Zurich, Switzerland via New York, where he attended several FIFA committee meetings. He expressed his deepest sympathy with the family over the 21-year-old Lee’s sudden death. The Dr Joao Havelange Centre is the venue where Lee suffered his crippling injury during a CONCACAF Under-20 qualifying match against the United States. But the former Tranquillity Secondary student will spend one final time at his Santa Rosa Heights, Arima residence at noon on Thursday, following which he will be taken to the Centre of Excellence an hour later where his casket will be open for display and a condolence book available at his side.
According to Lee’s mother, Dawn Warrick, yesterday the family received sympathies from footballing administrators from Canada and England but no word was received as yet from the USA Soccer Federation. Warner said news of Lee’s death was tragic and shocking but there are useful lessons to be learnt from his life which he (Warner) will touch on at his funeral. Following Lee’s accident, Warner had the young injured footballer flown to Miami by air ambulance for specialised treatment at his expense. Warner later had Lee’s home specially fitted so he could get around on his wheelchair to which he had been confined.
PORT ELIZABETH: Australian skipper Ricky Ponting and his New Zealand counterpart Stephen Fleming agreed the use of the new ball will dictate the outcome of their Cricket World Cup Super Six match at St. George’s Park.
Australia square up against a determined New Zealand, and although a loss won’t harm the defending champions’ semifinal aspirations, they want to beat Stephen Fleming’s side and dent New Zealand’s progress. Australia regard New Zealand as a danger in a sudden-death match and are doing everything to avoid that. New Zealand must beat either Australia or India to qualify for the semifinal. If New Zealand qualify fourth, a trans-Tasman semifinal here is unavoidable. “That’s an element that’s important to both sides,” Fleming agreed. “On that type of wicket it’s a game of attrition. If the match is not won in the 30th over, it will go down to the wire.” Fleming said winning was the only way for New Zealand to ensure a semifinal spot, and he was confident it could be done. “We want to just win matches. More than anything is another great opportunity to play Australia in a World Cup situation,” he said. “But we haven’t thought much past tomorrow. It’s obviously a key match for us.”
Fleming said the pitch might require changes to the lineup, although he expected Chris Cairns’ medium pace to play a big part . A fitness test before the start will give Fleming an idea how much Cairns can bowl. The 32-year-old allrounder has bowled just eight overs in six matches here, taking two wickets for 54 in the tournament. He took two wickets for 16 in the six-wicket win over Zimbabwe, his first wickets since coming back from a year off with knee problems. “I certainly want him as an option,” said Fleming, who also thinks Shane Bond is a weapon against the Aussies.
Bond’s bowling was instrumental in ousting Australia from the tri-series finals when he took 21 wickets at the start of 2002. “I’d love him to knock the top off Australia. He gets good shape to the left handers with good pace —- and that’s the key to restricting Australia.” Australia had a miserable match against England at Port Elizabeth and escaped with a two-wicket win with two balls to spare. Ponting is determined not to repeat those mistakes. Chasing England’s modest 204 for eight, Australia crashed to 135 for eight before Michael Bevan and “Man-of-the-Match” Andy Bichel saw the side home with unbeaten 74 and 34.
“The vital times in this match will be with the new ball … whoever copes with using and playing the new ball,” said Ponting. “That’s what we didn’t do the last match here. “When we went out to bat, with the new ball being harder and with a bigger seam, we knew it was going to do more then than it would later in the match. Unfortunately we got ourselves into a fair bit of trouble.” Ponting singled out the top-order batting and the allrounders as New Zealand’s strengths. While Australia enjoy a 57-25 win-loss ratio over New Zealand, World Cup matches have always been closely fought. Australia lead 3-2 but New Zealand have always had a trick or to for their trans-Tasman neighbours.
