Exclusive Interview with Attorney Odai Ramischand, Father of murder victim Nikita Ramischand

Ian Alleyne Arrested

Television personality and Crime Watch host Ian Alleyne was last night arrested outside the Independence Square, Port-of-Spain, offices of Caribbean Communications Network (CCN). The T&T Guardian understands that Alleyne’s arrest stemmed from broadcasts on his show on October 25 and 26 last year, during which the brutal  rape of a 13-year-old mentally-disabled girl was allegedly aired.  Senior police sources revealed that Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard was contacted by investigators late Wednesday evening for advice on possible criminal prosecution against Alleyne. Up to late yesterday, it could not be confirmed if charges were laid against Alleyne, but the Guardian understands that Gaspard advised that three charges under Section 32 (2) of the Sexual Offences Act be laid. 

The legislation states: “A person who publishes or broadcasts any matter contrary to subsection 1 is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of twenty-five thousand dollars and to imprisonment for five years.” The Guardian was reliably informed that investigators are considering laying similar charges on a senior member of staff at CCN in relation to the same broadcasts. Shortly before 7 pm yesterday, a five-member team of officers assigned to the Port-of-Spain Criminal Investigations Department (CID), and led by ASP Ajith Persad, approached security at the back gate of the Express House offices of CCN. Within minutes of the police’s arrival, Alleyne who was on air at the time, informed viewers of the police presence and intention to arrest him. Scores of boisterous fans blocked the gates of the compound while screaming out the controversial television personality’s name. 

Senior management at CCN soon entered the company’s car park to catch a glimpse of the noisy crowd. Alleyne’s attorneys Om Lalla and Derrick Balliram arrived soon after and were seen entering the building. Even as it began to rain heavily, Alleyne’s supporters stood outside the gates chanting his name. After a short press conference, ASP Persad and Cpl Andre Lopez entered the compound and attempted to detain a resistant Alleyne. He continuously pleaded with the officers to not arrest him while asking the reasons for their actions. The officers then had a short conversation with Alleyne and his attorneys before handcuffs were placed on his wrists, and he was led away to an awaiting police car. Alleyne was taken to Central Police Station on St Vincent Street where he remained with his lawyers up to late last night, senior police sources said. He is expected to appear before a Port-of-Spain magistrate this morning to face the charges.

2 Year Old Aliyah beaten then bled to death

Two-year-old Aliyah Johnson suffered a blow to her belly that was so forceful her liver ruptured, causing her to bleed to death.

Pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov, after performing an autopsy on Aliyah, determined she died as a result of blunt force abdominal trauma and acute internal blood loss. 

The pathologist spent almost three hours at the Forensic Science Centre, St James carefully examining the body of the young girl, who died on Easter Sunday, to determine the cause of her death. There was no sign of sexual abuse.

Blood, urine and tissue samples have been taken for further tests including toxicology.

Police reported, at about 7.45 pm on Sunday, they received a report by staff at the Siparia District Health Facility that an unresponsive two-year-old child had been brought to the hospital, bearing marks of violence about her body, and bleeding from her vagina.

Since then, two relatives who were said to be with baby Aliyah when she suffered her injuries at a house along Maria David Trace, Siparia, have been detained at separate police stations.

One of the suspects, a woman, told police that she last saw Aliyah alive on Sunday evening when a male relative took the girl for a bath.

However, it had also been reported that the teenager had told relatives that the girl had fallen off her bed.

With the results of the autopsy at hand, police investigators have informed Newsday that they intend to officially classify the death as a murder and would be approaching the Director of Public Prosecutions, Roger Gaspard SC, in the near future, possibly as early as today.

It was said that statements were expected to be taken from the two relatives in custody late yesterday as well as from baby Aliyah’s aunt Marisa Johnson. However, up to press time it could not be confirmed if the statements had been recorded.

Speaking to Newsday yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre, following the autopsy, a very emotional Marisa Johnson said her family was still in terrible shock over the loss of baby Aliyah and that her father had taken the news the hardest, and was forced to visit his doctor repeatedly this week.

She said she was pleased so far with the work of the police investigators and she was hoping for a “proper outcome” now that the autopsy had been completed.

“According to the findings, Aliyah’s abdomen had been hit, causing her liver to rupture, which in turn caused her to bleed out through her private parts. Thankfully, there were no findings of sexual assault. The report also shows that she had several marks of violence on her skin,” Johnson said.

“Dr Alexandrov said that most likely she was beaten and the marks were a result of the acts of violence. Right now, we simply want justice for this atrocity. The person who did this must be put away,” Johnson said.

Johnson, a mother of four, explained that contrary to various media reports, baby Aliyah was not the result of an unwanted pregnancy, and she was very loved and appreciated by her mother.

“I don’t understand how this information is circulating. It is completely false. Her mother wanted that child so badly. In fact it was I who offered to take the baby from her when we found out she was having a girl, because at the time I had three sons, she was just a teen and I desperately wanted a daughter. But she said no. She was very excited to be a mom and she loved that child with all her heart,” Johnson recalled.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be made today, with the services most likely taking place on Saturday morning.

last 4 Pictures by Ian Alleyne

Mitchell Anthony Modeste

For the past eight months maxi taxi driver Mitchell Anthony Modeste, 27, had been forced to live the life of a fugitive after he was accused of being in a relationship with a close female relative of a prisoner and several threats were made on his life from behind prison walls.

Grieving relatives told Newsday that the one chance Modeste took to venture outside the family’s Teelucksingh Street East home, cost him his life on Saturday night. Modeste, also called “Baby Lou” and father to seven-year-old Malaki Modeste, was gunned down in cold blood about 100 metres from his home while on his way to a nearby parlour. Relatives who responded to the sound of six gunshots, said they rushed outside only to find Modeste’s bullet-riddled body lying on his back in the middle of the road in a pool of blood. He was already dead. The gunmen had already fled the scene. Modeste had survived two previous attempts on his life, relatives told Newsday. Modeste is believed to be the fifth man to be killed as a result of the allegation that he was involved in a relationship with the relative of a prisoner.


Distraught relatives denied yesterday, that the slain man was ever involved in any relationship with the woman. Relatives said it was only a few weeks ago that Modeste returned to the area as he had been hiding out at the homes of different relatives across the country given the threats on his life. One relative recalled that late last year, gunmen fired several shots at Modeste but missed and that on another occasion, as a gunman pursued him, the magazine fell out of the gun. According to a police report, at about 7 pm on Saturday Modeste was at Teelucksingh Street East, California when he was shot several times by gunmen who opened fire on him, before they escaped in a waiting vehicle. Investigators are working on the theory that the killing was a hit. Weeping sister, Melissa Modeste, 26, said, “Is eight months now he living like a fugitive. He goes nowhere as he was always in fear of his life. Since returning here, the furthest he would reach is by the gate. Relatives said he even cut off his dreadlocks as he tried to assume a different look to stay alive.” Melissa said numerous reports of the threats made on her brother’s life were made to the Couva Police Station. She continued, “They would always ignore him when he reported the matter and they even chased him from the station. 

“He sought help at the San Fernando Police Headquarters where he met with ACP Fitzroy Frederick. He was the only police officer who tried to protect him and he really did his best. He had officers check on him regularly and they would keep a close eye on him. It was only so much he could do,” she said. Modeste’s girlfriend, Vintra Balchand, 23, wept uncontrollably at the news of Modeste’s murder yesterday. She said, “I am devastated because not much was done to help him. I am disappointed in the way police in Couva treated with him. They used to run him out the station when he went to make reports. Baby Lou should have been placed in a safe house since the threats began.” Balchand said her boyfriend’s life had become a living hell following the allegations. “He was such a loving and giving person. He was forced to live this way because of rumours.” When contacted yesterday, ACP Frederick confirmed that he knew of the case and had personally dealt with Modeste. He told Newsday, “I am aware of the case and I was working with the young man. It is very sad what eventually happened.” Officers of the Southern Homicide Unit and Couva Police Station are conducting investigations.


Update: Autopsy confirms man was murdered

Wednesday, February 29 2012

AN AUTOPSY carried out on Monday at the Forensic Science Centre in St James has revealed that California maxi taxi driver Mitchell Anthony Modeste, 27, died as a result of shock and haemorrhage consistent with multiple gunshot wounds.

Modeste also known as “Baby Lou” was shot five times with one of the bullets penetrating his left eye.
He was also shot twice in the lower spine and once on the left ear and shoulder, the report stated.
According to a police report, at about 7 pm last Saturday, Modeste of Teelucksingh Street East, California, who had been hiding out for the past eight months following threats made on his life, was on his way to make a purchase at a nearby parlour when he was shot and killed.

His bullet-riddled body was found lying in the road in a pool of blood.

More is expected on this story.