2010-02-07 “Former kidnap accused shot dead.”
Former kidnap accused shot dead.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Sunday, February 7 2010
One of the men who was once accused of kidnapping businesswoman Phillip Talma was killed by gunmen at his Maraval home on Friday night.
According to police, Ian Morgan, and his sister Leslie- Ann were at Upper Moraldo Street, when they were [...]
2010-01-26 “State drops kidnapping charges.”
State drops kidnapping charges.
By Onika James
Trinidad and Tobago’s Newsday | Tuesday, January 26 2010
The State yesterday discontinued its kidnapping for ransom case against Lawrence Diaz.
However, Diaz, of Debe Road, Long Circular, remains behind bars on a murder charge.
The 27-year-old was accused of kidnapping Wendell Wilson aka “Heads,” on November 14, 2003. The victim’s family was [...]
2009-12-25 “CJ’s one major concern – no interference in the Judiciary.”
CJ’s one major concern – no interference in the Judiciary.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Friday, December 25 2009
The year 2009 had a somewhat slow start in the Judiciary. Several cases had to be pushed back, or aborted as witnesses failed to come forward. In others, it was the issue of accused persons being [...]
2009-12-22 “Autopsy shows labourer was strangled.”
Autopsy shows labourer was strangled.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Tuesday, December 22 2009
AN AUTOPSY carried out at the Forensic Science Centre in St James yesterday on the body of Nazir Mohammed, who was found dead in a rice field in Caroni last week, confirmed that he was murdered.
The medical examination also revealed that [...]
Your Questions Answered
31 December 2009
Q: picture of allan martin mastermind behind
A: You are searching for a photo of Allan Martin, who was alleged to be the mastermind in the abduction and murder of Vindra Naipaul-Coolman? Many visitors search this site for photos of the persons who are suspected of or have been accused and convicted of abductions. [...]
2009-11-06 “All 13 accused seek more time to retain counsel.”
All 13 accused seek more time to retain counsel.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Friday, November 6 2009
The 13 men accused of the 2006 kidnapping, and murder of Xtra Foods CEO, Vindra Naipaul- Coolman, appeared before High Court Judge Malcolm Holdip yesterday in a Cause List hearing.
Shevon Peters; Keida Garcia; Marlon Trimmingham; Earl Trimmingham; [...]
2009-11-06 “Five for retrial in 2010.”
Five for retrial in 2010.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Friday, November 6 2009
The retrial of Phillip “The Boss” Boodram, and four others, has been set for January, 2010.
Boodram of Fifth Street, New Settlement, Dow Village, California, along with Kervin Williams, and Mario Aaron Grappie of Pranz Gardens, Claxton Bay, Ricky Singh of Cedar [...]
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 [...]
2009-09-20 “Cop charged in teacher’s murder.”
Cop charged in teacher’s murder.
By Nalinee Seelal and Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Sunday, September 20 2009
Homicide detectives investigating the murder of schoolteacher Bhasmat Seemungal-Akaloo yesterday received instructions from Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard to charge the two suspects whom they now have in custody.
Police arrested a police officer and his [...]
2009-09-16 “3 convicted of manslaughter get 30 years jail each.”
3 convicted of manslaughter get 30 years jail each.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Wednesday, September 16 2009
Vivian Clarke, Steve Mc Gillvery, and Pernell Martin, will each spend the next 30 years behind bars for their role in the kidnapping and murder of San Juan business woman Samdaye Rampersad.
Clarke, 36, Mc Gillvery, 27, and [...]
2009-08-01 “1 FREED, 3 GUILTY, RETRIAL FOR 5.”
1 FREED, 3 GUILTY, RETRIAL FOR 5
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Saturday, August 1 2009
The jury in the Samdaye Rampersad murder trial returned with mixed verdicts for the nine men accused of killing the San Juan businesswoman after six hours of deliberations at the Port-of- Spain High Court yesterday.
Five of the accused are [...]
2009-07-28 “Jury foreman ill — trial adjourned to today.Jury foreman ill — trial adjourned to today.”
Jury foreman ill — trial adjourned to today.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Tuesday, July 28 2009
The Samdaye Rampersad murder trial was prematurely adjourned yesterday morning after the foreman of the 12-member jury hearing evidence in the matter, informed the trial judge that he was “ill.”
Details of his illness were not made public, and [...]
2009-07-25 “US jury to begin deliberations Monday.”
US jury to begin deliberations Monday.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Saturday, July 25 2009
A United States jury hearing evidence in the Balram “Balo” Maharaj murder trial in Washington DC, is expected to begin its deliberations on Monday.
The matter is being heard before Judge John Bates, at the E Berrett Pettyman Courthouse, US District [...]
2009-07-17 “Defence witnesses testify as trial continues.”
Defence witnesses testify as trial continues.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Friday, July 17 2009
Three defence witnesses yesterday testified in the Port-of-Spain Second Assizes that, two of the accused in the Samdaye Rampersad murder trial, were not in a wild cashew field in Claxton-Bay on the evening of November 27 2005, the same day [...]
2009-07-16 “Time sheets reveal witness not at work Nov 28, 2005.”
Time sheets reveal witness not at work Nov 28, 2005.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Thursday, July 16 2009
Time sheets from a Cepep contractor, yesterday showed that State witness Nigel “Supercat” Rodrique was absent from his job on November 21, 2005, and then again on November 28, 2005 — the same day he claimed [...]
2009-07-14 “Boodram: I did not take part in the kidnap or murder.”
Boodram: I did not take part in the kidnap or murder.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Tuesday, July 14 2009
Murder accused Phillip “The Boss” Boodram, who allegedly sat on the back of Samdaye Rampersad, and pulled back her neck yesterday testified that he “never gave instructions to kidnap” nor did he “participate” in her [...]
2009-06-30 “Cop tells of body exhumed.”
Cop tells of body exhumed.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Tuesday, June 30 2009
The morning of January 5, 2006, was unlike any other for Police Inspector Ancil Corbett and other officers investigating the death of San Juan businesswoman, Samdaye Rampersad.
As they approached a wild cashew field in Carolina Village, “there was a foul odour, [...]
2009-05-26 “Court hears how Samdaye was kidnapped and killed.”
Court hears how Samdaye was kidnapped and killed.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Friday, June 26 2009
Video footage of the discovery of the shallow grave, and exhumation of murder victim Samdaye Rampersad was shown yesterday to Justice Rajendra Narine, and the 12-member jury hearing evidence in the trial.
The video recording was done by Police [...]
2009-06-26 “Accused: I took part in kidnapping, but not murder.”
Accused: I took part in kidnapping, but not murder.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Friday, June 26 2009
Vivian Clarke, one of the nine men accused of the murder of Samdaye Rampersad is reported as admitting to the police that he took part in the kidnapping of the San Juan business woman, but he knew [...]
2009-06-20 “Tears and prayers on Block Eight.”
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago Newsday | Saturday, June 20 2009
“TECIA’S death must be one of martyrdom.”
So said Pastor Peter Regis, one of several spiritual leaders, and motivational speakers who led a prayer session “peace and love” in Laventille’s notorious Block Eight yesterday afternoon.
The prayer session followed the brutal murder of ten-year-old Tecia Henry, whose [...]
2009-06-18 “St Rose’s mourns for Tecia.”
St Rose’s mourns for Tecia.
By Leiselle Maraj and Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Thursday, June 18 2009
Staff and students at the St Rose’s Girls’ RC School endured an emotionally distraught day after receiving conflicting reports about the death of ten-year-old Tecia Henry.
Principal Muriel Frampton-Marks said students cried openly when they were told their missing [...]
2009-06-15 “Find missing girl, 10.”
Find missing girl, 10.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Monday, June 15 2009
ANGRY residents including children, of Cook Street, John John in Laventille, yesterday afternoon linked arms and formed a human barricade across the road in John John, blocking the flow of traffic to both the Eastern Main Road and the Beetham Highway [...]
2009-06-09 “Juror’s mom dies, trial adjourned.”
Juror’s mom dies, trial adjourned.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday |Tuesday, June 9 2009
Hearing in the Samdaye Rampersad murder trial was adjourned until today after the court learnt that a relative of one of the jurors, had died.
After the trial judge, Justice Rajendra Narine was informed that the foreman’s mother had passed away, he ordered [...]
2009-06-06 “War over fatherhood in murder trial.”
War over fatherhood in murder trial.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Saturday, June 6 2009
State witness Nigel “Super Cat” Rodrique yesterday denied that two of his three daughters were fathered by Roger Mootoo, one of nine men accused of killing San Juan businesswoman Samdaye Rampersad.
Under coss-examination by defence attorney Wayne Sturge, in the Port-of-Spain [...]
2009-05-26 “‘Super Cat’ the ‘snitch’”
‘Super Cat’ the ‘snitch’
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Tuesday, May 26 2009
Nigel Ryan “Super Cat” Rodrique who was given four days sick leave by the prison doctor, returned to the witness stand yesterday, and testified that what he was doing in court was “against the rules” in the criminal world, and that he [...]
2009-05-26 “7 Trinis go on trial.”
7 Trinis go on trial.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Express | Tuesday, May 26 2009
The Balram “Balo” Maharaj trial will begin tomorrow at the E Berrett Pettyman Courthouse, US District Court, Columbia, Washington DC.
According to officials at the District Attorneys’ Office in Washington DC, “there are a few motions to be disposed of, and then [...]
2009-05-23 “”Shovel allegedly used to bury murder victim.”
Shovel allegedly used to bury murder victim.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago Newsday’s | Saturday, May 23 2009
The trial of nine men accused of kidnapping and killing San Juan businesswoman, Samdaye Rampersad, continued yesterday with testimony from Police Sgt Louis Andrews, who executed a search warrant, and found the shovel allegedly used to bury Rampersad. Rampersad, [...]
2009-05-21 “Woman’s toes, fingers missing.”
Woman’s toes, fingers missing.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Thursday, May 21 2009
GRAVE DIGGER Earl Estrado yesterday at the continuation of the murder trial of nine men accused of killing a businesswoman, revealed gut-wrenching details including that on January 6, 2006, he unearthed the body of Samdaye Rampersad from a shallow grave in a [...]
2009-05-20 “Jury selection starts in ‘Balo’ murder trial.”
Jury selection starts in ‘Balo’ murder trial
http://www.newsday.co.tt/crime_and_court/0,100482.html
By ONIKA JAMES Wednesday, May 20 2009
JURY selection for the Balram “Balo” Maharaj murder trial began on Monday at the E Berrett Pettyman Courthouse, US District Court in Washington DC. The process comes four years after Maharaj’s death which sparked major investigations by both TT police and US Federal [...]
2009-05-16 “‘Super Cat’ sick — case adjourned.”
‘Super Cat’ sick — case adjourned.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Saturday, May 16 2009
Hearing in the trial of nine men accused of the kidnapping; killing; and burying San Juan business woman Samdaye Rampersad, was cut short yesterday, after the State’s key witness Nigel Rodrique aka “Super Cat” complained to Justice Rajendra Narine that, [...]
2009-05-15 “Witness: I saw victim kidnapped, killed, buried.”
Witness: I saw victim kidnapped, killed, buried.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Friday, May 15 2009
State witness Nigel “Super Cat” Rodrique was adamant yesterday that he was present when the plot to kidnap businesswoman Samdaye Rampersad was hatched; when she was beaten, killed and buried in the wild cashew field.
Pressed by defence counsel, Pamela [...]
2009-05-12 “Court hears of ‘Bread in the oven’ — kidnap victim captured.”
Court hears of ‘Bread in the oven’ — kidnap victim captured.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Tuesday, May 12 2009
San Juan businesswoman Samdaye Rampersad, 48, was “tied like an animal” on the back of an open tray van on November 26, 2005 as her kidnappers took her to be killed, and later buried in [...]
2009-05-07 “9 men go on trial.”
9 men go on trial.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Thursday, May 7 2009
See photos of the victim and accused.
“UNEARTHED from a shallow grave in Claxton Bay after being strangled and left with soil in her nasal passage,” was how the State yesterday described in graphic detail the horrific demise of San Juan business-woman [...]
2009-03-10 “Defence submits six motions — trial set for May 26.”
Defence submits six motions — trial set for May 26.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Tuesday, March 10 2009
United States District Court Judge, for the District of Columbia, John D Bates will rule on six motions put forward by attorneys for defendants in the Balram Maharaj kidnapping/murder case.
Yesterday court officials in Washington confirmed that [...]
“Ransom demanded for Kenny’s daughter.”
Ransom demanded for Kenny’s daughter.
By Onika James
Trinidad & Tobago’s Newsday | Sunday, May 4 2008
A ransom has been demanded for the release of kidnap victim Philippa Talma. Forty-five year- old Talma, is the daughter of environmental expert and former Independent Senator Dr Julian Kenny.
Newsday understands, that the investigations have been taken over by the Special [...]
