Lindo Creek investigation at a standstill

Sep 11, 2008 News

– Jamaican forensic experts still to present findings

Investigators probing the killing of eight miners at Lindo Creek, Upper Berbice River, are still awaiting an analysis from their Jamaican counterparts who had conducted forensic examinations of the scene and DNA tests on the remains.
Crime Chief Seelall Persaud told this newspaper yesterday that while they have received a report from Trinidadian investigators who had visited the site earlier, the Jamaicans are still processing their part of the investigation.
More than two months ago, the charred remains of eight miners were discovered in a burnt out camp at Lindo Creek.
Those killed were Dax Arokium, Cecil Arokium, Compton Speirs, Clifton ‘Berry’ Wong, Lancelot Lee, called ‘Piggy’, Bonny Harry, Nigel Torres and Horace Drakes.
Initial reports had suggested that the killing was the work of security forces pursuing the now dead Rondell Rawlins and his gang.
The owner of the mining camp, Leonard Arokium was adamant that his men were killed by members of the Joint Services.
But in a statement responding to Arokium’s claims, the Joint Services denied the allegations. They are convinced that the late notorious killer Rawlins and his gang were the perpetrators.
At a recent press conference, Acting Police Commissioner Henry Greene, when asked what impact the death of Rawlins would have on the investigation, replied “most of the gang members are already dead”.
However, he had earlier indicated that the police had detained a suspect in the Lindo Creek killings.
But to date, two months after that disclosure, no one has been charged nor has the identity of the suspect been made public.
Crime Chief Seelall Persaud declined to comment on whether the suspect was still in custody.
Greene had also announced that the police had the evidence of an eyewitness to the heinous crime.
“The eyewitness has said that the men were attacked by ‘Fineman’ and his gang. They went there the night; basically they attacked the men, they tied them up, they cooked, etcetera and then the next night they were shot and killed,” the Acting Police Commissioner had told members of the media following the police anniversary route march two months ago.
He added that the eyewitness related that after the shooting, one of the victims was still alive and he was beaten with a hammer until he succumbed.
“That is what we have. We have how they arrived there, we have all the details. That is all I can give you for now,” Greene had explained at the launching of the police force’s 169th anniversary celebrations more than two months ago.
Several other persons who police said had links to the late Rondell Rawlins have been placed before the courts.
It is not clear if those arrests stemmed from names and telephone numbers contained in a diary, which the police recovered when they raided Rawlins’ Christmas Falls hideout a few days before the dead miners were discovered.
In the diary, which police said belonged to Rawlins’, it is claimed that the wanted man had mentioned the killings at Lusignan, which he said was in retaliation for the disappearance of his girlfriend Tenisha Morgan.
He had also reportedly mentioned the killing of his sister Marcyn King who was gunned down while on her way home four months ago.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecution has advised that an inquest be held into King’s killing.
However, according to Crime Chief Seelall Persaud, the file on the matter is still actively open.
“Investigations of a criminal nature can always be re-opened if additional information is obtained,” the Crime Chief told Kaieteur News.

Latest News

Lindo Creek investigation at a standstill

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

D-Up Basketball Academy Training camp brings Hoop Dreams to Life...

Campbell Eyes Eighth Men’s Physique Title in...

Alphonso, Fung-a-Fat, Munroe among top performers...

Guyana’s finest Physiques to battle for Glory...

CWI names West Indies Test Squad for home series...

Georgetown romp to 292-run win over Select XI

Features/Columnists

Bureaucracy gone bananas!

Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all

Exxon contract can be changed

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Lindo Creek investigation at a standstill

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]