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Bent Street killing

Oct 28, 2008 News

Suspect says accomplice slit driver’s throat over

fare

A prime suspect in the Sunday night murder of taxi driver Vibert Assanah, 58, is claiming that an associate slit Assanah’s throat during an argument over the taxi fare.

Police revealed yesterday that the suspect and the associate who is still at large are both deportees who reside in Alberttown.

The suspect, aged 35, was arrested at a private hospital, where he had gone to seek treatment for a cut on his neck and left knee.

Kaieteur News understands that the deportee, who is being interrogated at the Brickdam Police Station, told investigators that he and his associate joined Assanah’s vehicle on Sunday night outside the Georgetown Public Hospital after indicating that they were heading for Princes Street.

According to sources, Assanah agreed to take the suspects to their destination for $300, and he sat in the front seat while his friend occupied the rear.

However, he claimed that when they neared their destination, the driver informed them that the fare was $400.

Kaieteur News was told that the suspect alleged that an argument ensued between his friend and Assanah, during which both men drew knives and attacked each other.

The man, the sources say, alleged that Assanah was accidentally slashed on the neck during the scuffle. He claimed that he exited the vehicle and fled after being wounded.

However, residents of Bent Street allege that both passengers fled from Assanah’s vehicle at the same time.
Police also believe that the passengers had intended to either rob or relieve Assanah of his vehicle, and killed the ex-policeman after he put up a fight.

Detectives reportedly found two knives in Assanah’s car and believe that one of them belonged to the slain taxi driver. Police also believe that most of the blood on the suspect’s clothing was from Assanah’s wounds.

The victim’s eldest son, Ray Assanah, had explained that his father worked only at night, and he had feared for his father’s safety.

“I know that we all have to die, but I didn’t expect him to die so soon and in such a tragic manner,” the son said.

He revealed that Mr. Assanah bought his car less than a year ago, and had not completed paying for the vehicle. In his opinion, his father would have put up a fight if anyone attempted to relieve him of the car.

“He made a lot of sacrifices to get it, and the way he cared for the vehicle he would not have allowed anyone to take it.”

Residents of Bent Street said they were standing on the roadside, at around 22:00 hrs on Monday, when they observed a car heading east along Bent Street at a fast rate of speed.

One resident recalled that the driver was constantly revving the engine. They said that the vehicle, PKK 5285, suddenly stopped in Bent Street in the vicinity of Hardina Street.

Two men then exited the car and sprinted further up the street, and one of them was overheard saying: “We shoudda shoot dat f—-ing man.”

Another man, later identified as Assanah, emerged from the driver’s side, the eyewitnesses said, clutching at his throat. He took one step and then collapsed on the roadside, lying there motionless.
He died shortly after.

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