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Promising 23-year-old Pro League football star, Ross Russell Jr, is among two recently discharged soldiers who appeared before Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar in the Port of Spain court this morning for the murder of Diego Martin resident Selwyn Gaff.
(Courtesy Nicholas Bhajan/Wired868)
Russell Jr, who has two children, was charged alongside his cousin and former Defence Force teammate Balondemu Julius, who is 34.
Gaff, 28, died from a gunshot wound on 6 June 2016 after being found in the Macqueripe forest, barely alive, by police. He was allegedly shot in the abdomen on the previous day and left for dead.
Julius and Russell Jr were detained at Teteron Headquarters, soon after Gaff’s death, while investigations were conducted. Both men were subsequently discharged from the army and handed over to the police last week.
Julius and Russell Jr were charged over the weekend with four criminal offences including Gaff’s murder, possession of arms and ammunition and shooting at Jesse Quashie with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
Russell Jr did provide an alibi to the police which claimed that he was elsewhere at the time of the murder. The alibi, according to a well-placed source, was a witness statement by a third Defence Force player, who has made over 30 international appearances for the Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Russell Jr’s arrest has shocked teammates and the local football community. He is considered a likeable player who rarely ever found himself in trouble with match referees or spats with opposing players.
However, he is believed to have been monitored by Defence Force officials after being spotted on more than one occasion in the company of a relative suspected of criminal behaviour.
He is the son of former Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Ross Russell and teamed up with his dad when Defence Force won its last Pro League title in the 2012/13 season.
Russell was coach of the “Teteron Boys” at the time while his son featured predominantly at left back.
A tall, quick and versatile flanker, Russell Jr enjoyed his most prolific spell in the local top flight in the 2015/16 Pro League season, as he scored nine goals—including game winners against W Connection and San Juan Jabloteh—and helped the Army/Coast Guard unit to third place.
(Courtesy Nicholas Bhajan/Wired868)
Defence Force and Russell Jr ended season on a high note as they edged Connection 2-1 on Friday 27 May 2016 to clinch the Digicel Pro Bowl title
The senior Russell, who was distraught when he spoke to Wired868 on the weekend, heads the technical staff of the Japs North East Stars Pro League team and is also a former Trinidad and Tobago Women’s National Senior Team and Men’s Under-17 head coach.
Julius, a speedy, aggressive forward, last represented Defence Force in the 2013/14 season.
Julius and Russell Jr will next appear in court on 5 July 2016.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
Eh, eh, eh. Is very distracting.
Apparently they confessed. Or so the talk is
Well I am really hoping it isn’t so for true eh, because I myself like the player talent eh, and couldn’t believe it myself that he was involved but in the times that we are living in eh, money talks and bullshit walks eh, and hoping that my police officers really protects the witness who took them to the forest. Them really good yes.
Well, we have a trial for that eh Mango. And we will find out what name was uttered and how many names.
But they are innocent until proven guilty. They are suspects charged with a crime. And we will eventually know if they did it.
Crazy.
Well the reason why they both were detained by my police officers for the murder is because another fella who was on the scene with them informed my police officers with respect to what took place and where the body of the man could be found in the forest and when my police officers got there the man was still alive and was able to tell my police officers who were the soldiers before he died on the way to the hospital eh I don’t know what kind of hit men they are eh, they didn’t make certain that the man was dead eh, and this isn’t a surprise to me eh, because thirty years ago in my policing days eh, some soldiers was also involved in the same madness like this eh, right now there are soldiers that is doing time in my second sweetest country eh, for killing an ex- American Trini soldier a few years ago in our sweet country and it was his wife who is also doing time eh, organized the hit on him because he was loaded with plenty monies eh,and alyuh know when an American ex- soldier is murdered eh we don’t stick eh we coming for the killers, so nutten has changed. Them really good.
What a Waste! the world could have been yours ,makes no SENSE
This is a ” I don’t know what to say ” moment.
Shameful
Why?
Good people do bad things…in the end hopefully tje truth prevails
Chad Paul U SEE THIS ?
Yeah Johann Richards tell me bout da
hmmm ite scn
Wta
wayyz dat is rel failure.
lasana…what di hell going on here?????? nah man!!!! tell me yuh write ah wrong report nah
I wish! Was shocked myself.
the man have real talent….probably the best winger for the season
Yes. I think so.
Classic case of friends carrying you but cyah bring yuh back let’s hope for his sake the “alibi” could stand up in court so much happening with this matter it’s confusing to say the least
D lord gave you talent and you turn around and murder shame shame
He has been charged but not convicted. Still innocent until proven guilty.
Innocent until proven guilty, and the army discharged him from the service already. His accomplice better be careful they don’t put everything on him to save the gifted one by some technicality.
Okk wèl said I hope dats d case
The army discharged him because there was enough for him to charged. All companies should do that while an employee is fighting such a serious case. Doesn’t make him guilty.
Where the army is concern I don’t believe in that legal mumbo jumbo, if there was an ounce of innocence, I believe they would stand by their batch. Remember this is the son of someone who gave yeoman service to this country. Nevertheless I would not be surprised if he could later boast of innocence because of some incompetence of the police and the DPP, remember this is T&T.
Well yes god doh sleep
Unfortunately, it really isn’t very difficult to get mixed up in this sort of stuff in this country.
Man some children does really embarass their parents he was a good player for army when he played under his father some thing went wrong
Not a easy place to be as a father
Wowww..
Shocked to hear this very sad
wta I reading…… sana what going on with these young men…. smh
What ah ting!!
Wow
Interesting that they keep insisting that the victim was still alive when he was found.
Rasta!
The fact that they have been discharged from the Defence force and handed over to the police after defence force investigations tells a story.
Very true
I thought it was their former coach cause none of the news stations added the jr .
That’s the risk for Jrs and Snrs eh? Lol
Such a dam shame. Ross is such a cool brother. I understand the goings on of JR even affected his upward movement through the ranks. Sad
Wow. Didn’t know that Garth. Because it was Ross’ failure to move up in the ranks that led to him being discharged. Very sad.
Yep. All they had to do was give him Warrant and he was good to go. After all his toil thats what he got in the end. “The boot”
Then it have the next person who they also shot at that got away Atleast that is way d news sayin
Guess the knocker is that the victim talked, called names before he died….
Sad sad
I saw this story in the Express over the weekend but I don’t think the TTDF released the names of the soldiers.
I now saw it on tv what they saying not looking good for both of them
So shock..such a good player and disciplined on the field… nice person. …no his mom, dad and family will definitely be in a mess now…Stay strong God is you’ll guide my friend …
What!! Serious??
Smh
And we all know how long it takes for courts to determine whether you are guilty or innocent… Eight or even 10 years sometimes! 🙁
Let this be a lesson to all who take their talents/blessings for granted…..Shame and scandal ???
This is a very difficult thing to deal with , I can not believe Ross Russell Jr is involved, my prayers are with you Marcy and Ross
What…..de…..
What am I reading here? I shock…. Have worked with Russell Jr in his youth days… Never a trouble maker… SMH
That’s what I say!
I hope justice is served. He has an alibi. Wishing his family all strength…
Stunning news. I hope justice is served of course. But it is hard to believe that Russell Jr could have that kind of second life and I’d be surprised if he isn’t acquitted.
But for the young men and women out there: Be careful of the company you keep! Even if it is your family!!
I really was hoping it did not reach to this!! To d gaffer hold ur head up and stand with the youth! God is greatest
Cornell Glen this is so sad I feel it for Ross and is family
Damn hoss
What de?
What? Crazy man….
Smh. Alibi?
Looks like he has more than one. Someone just contacted me. Trying to find out if they made a police statement.
I heard the police will test the strength of those alibis between now and their next court date
Wouldn’t you do that before arresting someone? Not saying he’s innocent or guilty but wouldn’t you confirm his alibi before the arrest? Stranger things have happened though
Well, it seems that there are different people saying different things. Some for and some against.
A second person gave evidence that seemed to support Russell’s case after he was already charged. So apparently that is why they will return to court as soon as July 5.
The police has two weeks to check that out.
Gotta admit I don’t know the laws in trini so I’ll just give the police the benefit of the doubt.
..Courage Ross..
Sad, sad state of event 🙁 Such a young fella with a promising future. I can have no sympathy for a murderer because a life was taken away from it’s loved ones. Yet I feel empathy for him and his family. This is generally a sad, sad situation. Smh