2010-01-26 “DPP offers no evidence: A kidnapping without a victim.”
DPP offers no evidence: A kidnapping without a victim.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 26 Jan 2010
Lawrence Diaz, 25, yesterday was acquitted of a charge of kidnapping for ransom where there was no victim in the case. The man whom he was accused of kidnapping, never gave a statement to the police and never [...]
2010-01-16 “’Balo’ Maharaj kidnap trial. No Carnival sentencing for 11 Trinis.”
’Balo’ Maharaj kidnap trial. No Carnival sentencing for 11 Trinis.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 16 Jan 2010
The sentencing of seven convicted Trinidadians and four accomplice witnesses has been put off from Carnival Friday — February 12 — to an unknown date after April. This is because the judge has not heard post-trial motions [...]
2009-11-24 “Kidnapper loses in Privy Council.”
Kidnapper loses in Privy Council.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 24 Nov 2009
Police Constable Darryl Samnarinesingh, who was sentenced to 17 years in prison for kidnapping a judge’s nephew, has lost his appeal before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London. Three Law Lords dismissed Samnarinesingh’s petition in which he was seeking [...]
2009-11-19 “SOLDIER BEHIND BARS — THE FINAL CHAPTER. The killing of a US citizen. Evidence pointed to De Four’s guilt.”
SOLDIER BEHIND BARS — THE FINAL CHAPTER. The killing of a US citizen. Evidence pointed to De Four’s guilt.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 19 Nov 2009
Without the military records, the evidence presented by the prosecution pointed to the guilt of former Special Forces soldier, Ricardo de Four. The jury had no choice but [...]
2009-11-18 “SOLDIER BEHIND BARS—PART 5: Private eye speaks out: ‘If De Four was off base, just say so.’”
SOLDIER BEHIND BARS—PART 5: Private eye speaks out: ‘If De Four was off base, just say so.’
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 18 Nov 2009
United States private investigator Joe Aronstamn was brought into the Balram “Balo” Maharaj kidnapping case to assist in the defence of Special Forces soldier, Ricardo De Four.
As part of his [...]
2009-11-17 “SOLDIER BEHIND BARS — PART 4: US lawyer: 99% of motions lost.”
SOLDIER BEHIND BARS — PART 4: US lawyer: 99% of motions lost.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 17 Nov 2009
Washington-based attorney Jonathan Zucker has filed a motion seeking a new trial for his client, former Special Forces soldier Ricardo de Four. But Zucker made it clear from the outset that the odds were always [...]
2009-11-16 “SOLDIER BEHIND BARS: PART 3: De Four files motion: Soldier takes shot at new trial. De Four plans to cite T&T Army officers.”
SOLDIER BEHIND BARS: PART 3: De Four files motion: Soldier takes shot at new trial. De Four plans to cite T&T Army officers.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 16 Nov 2009
Ever heard of a guilty man getting a shot at a retrial before sentence? Only in the United States that happens. In T&T, once [...]
2009-11-14 “SOLDIER BEHIND BARS – PART 2: De Four: I am an innocent man.”
SOLDIER BEHIND BARS – PART 2: De Four: I am an innocent man.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 14 Nov 2009
Authorities at the Washington DC jail have described Ricardo De Four as a model prisoner. This was also confirmed by his Washington-based lawyer, Jonathan Zucker, who says that has been the response of prison [...]
2009-11-06 “Samdaye murder retrial set for January.”
Samdaye murder retrial set for January.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 6 Nov 2009
The retrial for five men, charged with the murder of businesswoman Samdaye Rampersad, is set for January next year. At a status hearing yesterday before Justice Mark Mohammed in the Port-of-Spain Second Criminal Court, both the prosecution and defence indicated their [...]
2009-11-06 “Soldier in court for real estate agent killing.”
Soldier in court for real estate agent killing.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 6 Nov 2009
Corporal Ricardo Stevenson, who may soon be sent to the United States to face trial for the murder of US citizen, Balram “Balo” Maharaj, appeared in court on Wednesday, charged with the murder of real estate agent, Gerard Gopaul. [...]
2009-11-06 “Businesswoman still missing: 13 in court charged with Vindra’s murder.”
Businesswoman still missing: 13 in court charged with Vindra’s murder.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 6 Nov 2009
For the first time in the Port-of-Spain High Court 13 men were packed into a small dock, charged with the murder of businesswoman, Vindra Naipaul-Coolman. Although the woman is still missing, the case was called for the [...]
2009-11-04 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN: Now FBI goes after Balo’s wife.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN: Now FBI goes after Balo’s wife.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 4 Nov 2009
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) is making moves to extradite Doreen Alexander-Durity, the former common-law wife of murdered US citizen, Balram “Balo” Maharaj.
Alexander-Durity was one of three people who escaped extradition in [...]
2009-11-02 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – THE END: Defence lawyer: Prosecution made big mistake.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – THE END: Defence lawyer: Prosecution made big mistake.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 2 Nov 2009
Today, we present the final chapter in the trial of seven Trinidadians, who were convicted for taking US citizen, Balram “Balo” Maharaj hostage. The T&T Guardian, has over the past 50 days, [...]
2009-11-01 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – THE FINAL CHAPTER: Prosecutor chastise defendants…‘They thought it was the perfect crime’ US attorney brutal in her closing.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – THE FINAL CHAPTER: Prosecutor chastise defendants…‘They thought it was the perfect crime’ US attorney brutal in her closing.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 1 Nov 2009
For the past 48 days, the T&T Guardian has been running this exclusive story on the kidnap and murder of Trinidadian, Balram [...]
2009-10-31 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 48: Nixon’s defence attorney: Cops held wrong man for Balo’s kidnapping.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 48: Nixon’s defence attorney:
Cops held wrong man for Balo’s kidnapping.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 31 Oct 2009
His name is Pleasant Brodnax, and he presented a pleasant case to the Washington jury on behalf of Kevin Nixon. Brodnax is a Washington attorney, and he represented Nixon, [...]
2009-10-30 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 47: Sealey never identified in Samaan Tree.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 47: Sealey never identified in Samaan Tree.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 30 Oct 2009
Patrick Donahue made no bones about it. In his opening address to the Washington, DC, jury, Donahue said his client Christopher Sealey was never identified as one of the men who snatched [...]
2009-10-29 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 46: Zion Clarke was a follower not a leader.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 46: Zion Clarke was a follower not a leader.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 29 Oct 2009
Washington-based attorney, Jeffrey O’Toole, told the jury his client, Zion Clarke, who helped cut up Balram ‘Balo’ Maharaj’s body in the forest, was not a leader but a follower. O’Toole [...]
2009-10-28 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 45: Kidnapping planned at Defence Force HQ.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 45: Kidnapping planned at Defence Force HQ.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 28 Oct 2009
Rita Pendry, the attorney who represented Kevon Demerieux, said in her opening statement the kidnapping of US citizen, Balram Balo Maharaj, was planned at Defence Force Headquarters, Chaguaramas.
Pendry said the kidapping was [...]
2009-10-27 “Editorial: Are we ready for internal probe?”
Editorial: Are we ready for internal probe?
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 27 Oct 2009
The recounting of the investigative process involved in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of Balram “Balo” Maharaj has taken some curious turns over the weeks that this newspaper has run the unfolding story. Some things have become clear in the detailed Francis [...]
2009-10-27 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 44: Attorney: Ninja did not kidnap Balo.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 44: Attorney: Ninja did not kidnap Balo.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 27 Oct 2009
Wayne Pierre, alias Ninja, was described by the prosecution as the leader of the gang which kidnapped and killed US citizen, Balram ‘Balo’ Maharaj. Not so, says his Washington-based attorney, John [...]
2009-10-26 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 43: Defence attorney finds it strange: Straker confessed on FBI aircraft…just so.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 43: Defence attorney finds it strange: Straker confessed on FBI aircraft…just so.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 26 Oct 2009
Washington attorney Steve Kiersh found it strange that his client, Anderson Straker, would confess on an FBI aircraft on his way to the US, after staying silent [...]
2009-10-26 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 42: The Balo Maharaj kidnapping. De Four’s alibi records destroyed.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 42: The Balo Maharaj kidnapping.
De Four’s alibi records destroyed.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 26 Oct 2009
Former soldier Ricardo de Four, one of seven Trinidadians convicted of taking US citizen, Balram “Balo” Maharaj hostage, may never get the chance to prove that he was at Camp [...]
2009-10-24 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 41 Washington attorney says: Soldier had no contact with Balo.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 41: Washington attorney says:Soldier had no contact with Balo
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 24 Oct 2009
Washington-based attorney Jonathan Zucker made it quite clear to the jury that his client, Ricardo De Four, had no contact whatsoever with Balram “Balo” Maharaj, the US citizen who was [...]
2009-10-23 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 40:Balo’s killers ran kidnapping gang.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 40:Balo’s killers ran kidnapping gang.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 23 Oct 2009
Assistant US Attorney, Emily Miller, pointed out to the Washington jury that the men charged with taking US citizen, Balram Balo Maharaj, hostage were part of a gang going about kidnapping people in Trinidad. [...]
The Writers
Thanks to the following writers on behalf of the missing, their waiting families and all concerned citizens, for covering the stories, expressing opinions and getting the word out.
Your intellectual property
Azard ALI
Ken ALI
Aabida ALLAHAM
Ian ALLEYNE
Robert ALONZO
Inerva ARJOON
Cecily ASSON
Yvonne BABOOLAL
Andre BAGOO
Peter BALROOP
Ralph BANWARIE
Cori BAYNES
Camille BETHEL
Peter Ray BLOOD
Nikita BRAXTON
Juhel BROWNE
Alexander BRUZAL
Wendy CAMPBELL
Kimberly CASTILLO
Clint CHAN TACK
Richard CHARAN [2009 winner [...]
2009-10-22 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 39: Dying Balo pleaded: ‘Please let me go, I have a child I love’.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 39: Dying Balo pleaded: ‘Please let me go, I have a child I love’.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 22 Oct 2009
Now that most of the evidence has been published in this series, the time has come for the opening and closing addresses of all counsel [...]
2009-10-21 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN — PART 38: US prosecutor tells jury: Balo kidnapping was about greed.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN — PART 38: US prosecutor tells jury: Balo kidnapping was about greed.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 21 Oct 2009
Now that most of the evidence has been published in this series, the time has come for the opening and closing addresses of all counsel in the matter. Today, [...]
2009-10-20 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 37: Ransom negotiator says: Kidnappers wanted to be known as 007.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 37: Ransom negotiator says: Kidnappers wanted to be known as 007.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 20 Oct 2009
A dry goods businessman told a Washington jury he was the person who negotiated with the kidnappers for the release of another businessman, Robin Ramadar. Timothy Semurath, 44, [...]
2009-10-19 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 36: AKU cop testifies: ‘I probed 100 kidnappings in 7 years’.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 36: AKU cop testifies: ‘I probed 100 kidnappings in 7 years’.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 19 Oct 2009
Dexter Tang-Kwok has over 30 years’ service in the T&T Police Service. At age 48, he has been a member of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) for the past [...]
2009-10-18 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 35: FBI negotiator deals with Balo’s kidnapping…Media have big role to play.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 35: FBI negotiator deals with Balo’s kidnapping…Media have big role to play.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 18 Oct 2009
Zorka Martinovich is a supervisory special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in the crisis negotiation unit. She works with the FBI in Quantico, Virginia. [...]
2009-10-17 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN — PART 34: Bar owner saw when Balo was snatched.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN — PART 34: Bar owner saw when Balo was snatched.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 17 Oct 2009
Bar owner Zyroon Gajadhar told a Washington jury how she witnessed the kidnapping of her long time friend, Balram ‘Balo’ Maharaj, from the Samaan Tree Bar, on April 6, 2005.
Gajadhar, 61, [...]
2009-10-16 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 33: Crying mother testifies: Balo disappeared after visit to bar.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 33: Crying mother testifies: Balo disappeared after visit to bar
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 16 Oct 2009
John was probably the oldest witness called by the US Government to prove its case against seven Trinidadians in the Washington Federal Court. John, 82, of Chandy Lane, El [...]
2009-10-15 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 32: Doctor flies to Washington: Straker had a cough, not hepatitis.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 32: Doctor flies to Washington:
Straker had a cough, not hepatitis.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 15 Oct 2009
A Government doctor flew to Washington DC, telling the jury accused Anderson Straker was not suffering from hepatitis. He said Straker, apart from a bump on the head, had [...]
2009-10-14 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN — PART 31: Balo convict: I was placed in jail with 13 Aids victims.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN — PART 31: Balo convict: I was placed in jail with 13 Aids victims.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 14 Oct 2009
Anderson Straker,the adopted son of Mayaro MP, Winston “Gypsy”
Peters, said after his arrest on suspicion in the death of US citizen, Balram “Balo” Maharaj, he was placed [...]
2009-10-13 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 30: De Four tells Washington jury:’Cops promised to release me’.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 30: De Four tells Washington jury:’Cops promised to release me’.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 13 Oct 2009
Convicted soldier Ricardo De Four said in court he was promised a release if he co-operated with the police in the investigations into the kidnapping and murder of US [...]
2009-10-12 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN — PART 29: Ricardo De Four testifies: Soldier protected Lara, Robinson.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN — PART 29: Ricardo De Four testifies:
Soldier protected Lara, Robinson.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 12 Oct 2009
Ricardo de Four was described as a key and important member of the Special Forces Unit in the Defence Force. During his time in the army, he provided bodyguard services for [...]
2009-10-11 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 28: A father’s last chance to save his son.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 28:
A father’s last chance to save his son
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 11 Oct 2009
Hollis De Four has literally been getting the runaround to get vital documents from the TT Regiment, which if correct, could save his son from a life sentence in a US [...]
2009-10-10 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN — PART 27: Accused points to the grave:‘That is where he buried Balo’.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN — PART 27: Accused points to the grave:‘That is where he buried Balo’
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 10 Oct 2009
Zion Clarke was described as calm when he was arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of US citizen, Balram “Balo” Maharaj. He was non-violent and [...]
2009-10-09 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 26: Balo accused tells investigator:‘Them fellas look like real killers’.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN – PART 26: Balo accused tells investigator:‘Them fellas look like real killers’.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 9 Oct 2009
Zion Clarke, one of the seven Trinidadians found guilty of taking US citizen Balram ‘Balo’ Maharaj hostage, was really frightened when he was first drawn into the kidnapping [...]
2009-10-08 “THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN — PART 25:Woman tells of her ordeal: Blindfolded and kept in shack for 6 nights.”
THE KILLING OF A US CITIZEN — PART 25:Woman tells of her ordeal:
Blindfolded and kept in shack for 6 nights.
By Francis Joseph
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian | 8 Oct 2009
Sita Ragoonanan was summoned as a witness in the Balram “Balo” Maharaj hostage trial in Washington DC on June 22. But she did not go to give [...]
