Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
Well, that was bacchanal. Trinidad and Tobago was so hot yesterday even Jack Warner considered asking the US Attorney General for a plane ticket.
At around noon yesterday, Port of Spain inmate Hassan Atwell and two fellow prisoners Allan “Scanny” Martin and Christopher “Monster” Selby made a daring jailbreak.
But first, they had to wait for the 41-year-old Atwell to update his Facebook page with the usual rant about his unwillingness to bend to the oppressive nature of incarceration and to share a “Ent! Breaking News” video.
Of course, thousands of employees across the country do not have access to Facebook at their work place. But Atwell does not seem to be a “glass half-full” kinda guy.
Maybe he wanted Skype.
Incidentally, prior to today, Atwell was not actually guilty of anything, despite spending the last 10 years in prison. Not yet anyway.
Like Warner, Atwell is fighting an extradition request from the United States. While the Chaguanas West MP was allegedly fond of shaking down television companies and World Cup bidding nations for the right to show and host football matches, Atwell’s alleged gig was kidnapping wealthy young men and demanding ransom from their relatives.
Warner remains Chaguanas West MP, holds national press conferences, routinely taunts the Attorney General and United States authorities and spends his free time sparring with international comedians. Atwell was refused bail and probably—but not certainly—has not seen HBO in a while.
It just goes to show that one can never be too careful in picking his or her criminal trade.
One of the three men shot and killed 27-year-old Constable Sherman Maynard, who was on guard duty outside the prison walls, during their escape in which the men were armed with guns and a grenade.
Mr Live Wire cannot confirm whether Atwell received the weapons in an email attachment.
Martin was shot dead by police at the Port of Spain General Hospital, just after 1 pm, although Atwell and Selby remain at large.
From there on, Port of Spain went into meltdown.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar told citizens that the Government was “in full control” and nobody had anything to fear “so long as I am your Prime Minister.”
Strangely, that did not help calm citizens.
Opposition Leader Keith Rowley was campaigning in south Trinidad at the time. But he did have the PNM treasurer and Port of Spain Mayor Raymond Tim Kee on location.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Tim Kee told the Trinidad Express that he was traumatised but assured everyone that his own security was heightened. He went on to say that it is sad when a policeman is killed and there was plenty of traffic, rumours and panic in the capital.
Mr Live Wire cannot confirm that the Express reporter replied: That’s it?! I could flipping get that on Facebook!
As always, there was plenty fodder for conspiracists.
Atwell’s brother, Hamid Ali, was charged, just hours earlier, for the murder of Dana Seetahal SC. His other brother Rajaee Ali, who is a former murder accused and contractor for the Government’s LifeSport programme, is already in police custody for the conspiracy to murder DJ Kevaughn “Lurbz” Savory, who is believed to have had an affair with the wife of ex-Sport Minister Anil Roberts.
Apparently, there are Gru Gru trees with less thorns than the Ali family.
Ali (R) is the son of Hassan Ali who is the Imam for the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen’s Carapo mosque and he leads prayers there himself as well.
It meant another round of questions to Imam Yasin Abu Bakr and his son Fuad Abu Bakr, the political leader of the NNV party, on whether their religious sect was housing and benefitting from crime.
(Copyright Orleen Orr)
“The individuals who they say escaped from prison have been in prison for 11 or 12 years, so if they are members of anything they are members of the prison,” said Abu Bakr (F). “We know there are concerns regarding people affiliated with us. We have come here to say we have nothing to do with the criminal acts.”
Say what you like about young Abu Bakr. But don’t forget to call him a politician. He would fit in just fine in Parliament.
Of course, Government interests seem to run alarmingly close to several criminal cases at the moment, not least the Seetahal murder, which, according to the police, might have been organised by persons who were on the LifeSport payroll at the time.
Four years ago, attorney David West, who is now the PCA chairman, found it “passing strange” that then AG Anand Ramlogan did not appeal a ruling against extradition for UNC financiers Ish Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson since Atwell was in a similar situation.
So should everyone with a criminal matter before the local courts be considered safe from extradition?
“It is passing strange that the State loses one application before a single High Court judge in a complex and highly politically charged case and deems it not fit to appeal,” said West. “An appeal is necessary to clarify this ‘grey’ area in the law…
“Two other accused persons, Hassan Atwell and Gary Govindass are also in this same predicament by having a local charge existing whilst extradition proceedings are ongoing.”
Earlier this week, Works Minister and Tabaquite MP Suruj Rambachan unveiled a $14 million State project that was completed by Galbaransingh’s Aztec Asphalt Pavers company.
Rambachan scoffed at any suggestion that maybe the Government should not be handing taxpayers’ money over to men who are hiding from the law—albeit doing so in plain sight.
“He is free to bid and tender for any project,” said Rambachan. “I don’t think the UNC should distance themselves from him at all.”
Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj, whose ministry oversaw the tendering process, sang from the same hymn sheet.
“Why should we distance ourselves? Is it that he is not allowed to do business in Trinidad?” asked Maharaj, knowing full well that Trinidad is the perfect place for men like Galbaransigh to do business.
On Friday, Atwell decided that he deserved to be free to do business too. So, he updated his Facebook page and then blasted his way out of jail, leaving a dead officer in his wake.
The media called it a “brazen” escape.
Warner and Galbaransingh, who allegedly influenced the last general election with ill-gotten money, must have read the news and shaken their heads disapprovingly, even as their attorneys continue to stave off extradition. This place gone through, oui.
Editor’s Note: Wired868 wishes to offer sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Constable Sherman Maynard, who was tragically killed in the line of duty while trying to keep Trinidad and Tobago safe.
January: The year of our Lord, 2016, started with a swing and a miss as West Indies cricket star Chris Read more
The following is the actual excerpt from an an interview with Raymond Tim Kee on Sky 99.5 FM, just after Read more
Franklin Khan: A thousand armies of the PNM empire will descend upon you. Our arrows will blot out the sun! Read more
It’s been a tumultuous weekend for Trinidad and Tobago, as two of the country’s larger than life characters appear to Read more
Saturday 13 February 2016 would go down in Trinidad and Tobago media history. Or at least it should. Finally, the Read more
Port of Spain mayor Raymond Tim Kee responded to outrage at his comments with reference to late Japanese pannist Asami Read more
Self preservation is a hell of a thing! I guess if you’re outnumbered and outgunned you would not take evasive action?
Sterling Simon in the video from inside the prison all three are armed…do you think he suddenly decided to discard his weapon in the wake of police descending upon him?
but Junior Noel…why did the officer run out of the vehicle and up Frederick Street only to return after the escapees had made their way across New Street?
All my statements have been speculative. But if construed differently I humbly withdraw.
Nicole Ulerie you are smart, if you follow the latter part of the thread the competence and training of the deceased officer comes into question. Also, the actions of the police in the death of the escapee at the hospital is questioned.
I think Junior is correct. IMO Sterling’s suggestion [while possible] doesn’t have evidence except what we hear from bystanders. We can’t really see what goes in in that booth.
Junior. How exactly you get to anti police?! You trying to sound like prison officers that say is d government fault dem men had guns to shoot their way out of prison and all prison officers are angels
Ask questions, but not make bold statements. In the absence of evidence our statements are beginning to take a certain slant, that, in my opinion, can be dangerous given what we are faced with currently.
Not anti police. The whole incident sparks a lot of questions which need be asked. Officers were well within their remit.
And now the thread goes anti-police!! As Earl Mango Pierre always says “dem really good yes!”
Also looks like they dragged him out and shot him on the ground
I can’t rule out that the police may have been cowards Nicholas Lochan. But every job has some sort of training for match day.
Unless those are OJTs in that van, I won’t excuse that. Why didn’t he reverse then? He got out and ran?
Makes no sense.
Why would I with the driver’s key abandon my vehicle in a crisis?
That’s true sterling.
The hospital shooting too have some inconsistencies. The female voice saying ” they go kill him ” suggests he might not have been armed.
Nicholas Lochan, I suspect you may be right! Somebody on another thread pointed out that the guy runs away and then returns.
I can’t speak for him but facing armed prisoners running out the entrance must evoke panic. Esp if you have no idea how many coming out. The best training still can’t replicate the reality 🙁
Nicholas Lochan made me laugh ?
He thought it was a jail break so he hopped out and ran up the street? That would be hilarious and tragic at the same time.
I thought it was a policeman who got scared from the thrown grenade or thinking it was a jail break.
I’m still trying to figure out if the fourth man was actually inside the police van. Or came from somewhere else. He ran up the road.
What’s the theory there? When was Sherman shot do you think?
All dem ppl who posting on Atwell page should be questioned as well
Well that is what I thought I saw as well Lasana Liburd but Nicholas Lochan put doubt in my head ?
Not only were they four men from what I see. The fourth man was key. It is he who shot the policeman!
Hear nah. Dis place SWEET inno!!!!?
Yuh seeeeeeeeee
Nicole Ulerie, I just got a call from a retired policeman who told me to check the actions of a fourth person in the video too. Maybe you’re not wrong. I have to look again.
Ahhhhhh. Ok Nicholas Lochan
Nicole it’s 3. The 4th figure is really a policeman running out his jeep to either evade bullets or the grenade that was thrown.
Yep. Saw the one from inside as well as on the street. Didn’t notice anybody shot. But it looked like 4 people running away to me though. Not 3
There is video footage of the men escaping and then running on to Frederick Street. I’m not sure where Maynard was shot. I didn’t see any sign of the policeman stationed outside the prison walls that the DCP posted about though.
very well written (exceptional journalism as usual) and the comments under the post equally stirring, because like you said its not black and white, there are several shades of grey and in this murky mist, we the citizens are blinded by the corruption of our judicial system our society will say Selby and Atwell are monsters but is Brad Boyce considered a monster for instance??? #askvolney
Thanks again, this hurts real deep while you work and pay taxes money being stolen by these boldface scoundrels
…Everybody needs to remember that the next time they do something to inconvenience the public in defence of their right to proper wages and working conditions…
Every single time a police officer dons his uniform and reports for duty there is.a chance he may be killed on duty. So his death as tragic as it was is an occupational hazard
I heard he was wearing one but that he got shot in the shoulder and lower abdomen. The lower abdomen one I was told was the fatal one. It was below the vest. This is just what I was told. Don’t know how true it is.
I wouldn’t say minor. True. And my heart definitely goes out to the family of the young man.
I think I read somewhere that he is a second year law student. And he is only in the police service for two years.
So I’m guessing he joined to force to give him such opportunities to better himself.
Was he the best bet to be on guard duty? Or am I molly cuddling him to suggest that?
Dunno. But it is sad. I would like to know if he was wearing a bullet proof vest for instance.
Lasana Liburd, the circumstances are different, and one may be more expected that the other, but the grief is no different for either family. Either way, I am uncomfortable with designating an incident that results in loss of life as minor. Especially when the death was as a result of violence.
Chabeth Haynes, a policeman shot during an escape while guarding the prison is a tragic occupational hazard. But isn’t that very different to if a pedestrian lost their life?
I don’t recall saying anything about police negligence. But I will say this…you move a prison to a more isolated/less populous location and thing stick out. A parked vehicle in POS does not raise any eyebrows. A parked vehicle outside a prison where there are no other vehicles parked does.
One day maybe we can have a talk too about the perception of inequality. About a man or a group of people who, even if they recognise that they are punished for doing wrong, cannot help but notice that other “criminals” are living the high life quite openly.
Peter pay for Paul as they say. But it kinda fuels a thought process that if the priest could play…
1. An incident that results in death should not be considered a minor area of concern. Hopefully the brave and now tragically deceased police officer’s family does not read that remark. Something does not need to happen every day for it to be an important issue. Category 5 hurricanes don’t happen every day but they are major causes of concern. I never said relocation of the prison was the most important issue, I said something to the effect of what will it take for the authorities to move the prison. Do we need escapees to hold 50 people in the hospital hostage? Do we need escapees to run across to a nearby school and hold children hostage?
I think it’s not that all of our crimes are unsolvable, it’s that there is little motivation to actually solve them unless foreign governments apply pressure.
Whey we dey TT? AND what we gonna do if Lasana migrates……or changes profession. Waaay more in di mortar dan di pestle.
Or that they would come here and solve it themselves. Another case for re-colonisation. 🙁
Seriously though, we’ve always known that.
If an American is murdered or kidnapped in Trinidad there is a higher likelihood the crime would be solved.
Vernal Damion Cadogan, like my Trinidad and Tobago passport is no good. Crimes against American citizens are serious business. Nothing else.
Although some crimes are classier than others and you get bail.
Rachel Price
I have a secret for those that consider me chupid.
*whispering* I think so tooooo! ?
However I’d have you know I’m not alone in the Chupid Club.
We have many many many others…
But you don’t just get to join us easily.. yuh has to PROVE yuh is worthy of our elite chupid company.
In our Chupid Club we believe vehicles drive themselves without keys.
In our Chupid Club conveniently parked vans (with sufficient gas) are just concealed in the rectums of detained prisoners!
In our Chupid Club the assholes of prisoners are made up of stretchable flesh capable of holding car keys, cars and money alongside cell phones, guns and hand grenades.
In our Chupid Club the Jail located smack in the middle of out country’s Capitol has nooooo camera surveillance.
In our Chupid Club no one has info and records on incoming and outgoing calls..
As a matter of fact in our Chupid Club cell phone batteries NEVER die!!!
As matter of fact in Jail the non-dying cell phones can be charged in the Self Charging walls..
It’s only fair to note that cell phones that do not die are NOT charged by prison officers.
C’mon this is the Chupid Club!
In our Chupid Club we’re just…
blessed
You know I never considered that Trinidad’s adherence to class wpuld inevitably lead to differing statuses of kidnap victims?
http://www.guardian.co.tt/business/2014-02-22/brazen-murder-sparks-debate
Interestingly, remember the hit captured on CCTV cameras and shown on Crime Watch where a man walks up to a man and guns him down?
That man, Darren Painter, was a co-accused with Hassan Atwell on another kidnapping charge. He out on bail and had nice cellular and auto-rental business going.
Know the difference in him getting to live life on the outside and Atwell’s Vernal Damion Cadogan? The only thing I could see is that one of Atwell’s alleged kidnappings was an American which made him a higher priority.
There are so many issues involved in this story.