A mix-up in the charges against murder accused Azmon Alexander led to his non-appearance in court yesterday, frustrating curious onlookers who showed up to get a glimpse of the man who was once deemed T&T’s most wanted.
The T&T Guardian was told a typo in one of the charges against Alexander, which had to be redone, caused Alexander and his 17-year-old accomplice, not to appear yesterday. The two, who were ordered to be charged with kidnapping, murder and other offences on Thursday night, will now appear before an Arima magistrate on Monday.
As media crews awaited Alexander and his teenaged co-accused’s arrival outside the Arima Magistrates Court yesterday, some women voiced what they said would be appropriate punishment for the man who had been on the run from the law since last January. Also waiting for his arrival were relatives of those Alexander and the teen are accused of killing.
Both men are accused of kidnapping Brasso Seco residents Felix Martinez, 52, Irma Rampersad, 49, her daughters — Felicia, 17, and Jennelle Gonzales, 19 — and her daughter, 14-month-old Shania Amoroso. The family members were last seen on October 26 and reported missing two days later. Martinez also was reported missing but residents thought he had gone on a hunting trip.
On November 8, his body was found in a sleeping bag along with that of baby Shania. On November 11, Rampersad’s body was found near a tree. All three bodies were found badly decomposed in the Brasso Seco forest. Rampersad and Martinez were strangled, according to autopsies. The cause of death for baby Shania remains unknown, however, as her autopsy was inconclusive owing to the advanced stage of decomposition.
Three days after Rampersad’s body was found, sisters Jennelle and Felicia were rescued by police from a makeshift camp in the Lalaja forest after a shootout with two men who were guarding them. The sisters have been kept in a safe house since they were rescued.