Who ordered Dana Seetahal’s murder and why? These are the questions being asked by Seetahal’s relatives following reports that at least six men are to be charged with her murder. On one of two Facebook pages dedicated to the memory of Seetahal, relatives and friends call for a speedy end to the investigation. One post by Marilyn Seetahal read:
“As the rest of the family, every time they decide to say ‘any day now’, the tears come tumbling down.”
Another by Kenrick Seetahal read: “Charge the persons involved and then share that info with the media. Do (you) think those involved will be quietly waiting for the police to apprehend them?” Tonyette Sharpe wrote on the Facebook page: “I just hope that the government and police have their facts correct so that the Seetahal family would not be “set-up” again and AGAIN!
“It would be cruel to family members to keep re-opening this chasm of a wound with no decisive closure and no justice! The main question remains unanswered: Why Dana. Why?” “When will the ‘authorities’ realise we are not a nation of idiots? Do they really think the man who pulled the trigger is responsible for this barbaric crime against a woman who gave her whole life for this country?
“The shooter is disposable and the person who called the hit is untouchable. Once again some illiterate, gun-toting gangster will get pinned with this crime while the big fish swims away happily.” wrote Idorn Medford. On Sunday both the Newsday and Express reported that six men were being sought for the killing of Seetahal and that the Federal Bureau of Investigations had been helping with the investigations.
The articles pointed at an insider who is currently in prison as a mole in the group who assassinated Seetahal and the police are to approached the Director of Public Prosecutions this week for advice on laying charges. Yesterday acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams denied that was true.
In a media release yesterday Williams said the newspaper reports that the Seetahal murder investigation was close to completion with at least six men facing possible charges are “inconsistent with the progress of the investigation” and “obvious distortions with material facts of the case.”
In the release Williams, through his communications manager Ellen Lewis, said he considered the reports “extremely irresponsible,” particularly the naming of any officer from the FBI who has been assisting the police with their investigation. The release adds: “Williams is mindful of the legitimate public interest attending the investigation and in this regard urges restraint in any form of media reporting or commentary and calls for an absence of speculation which could possibly hamper the investigation.”
Williams said the case was being treated with the highest priority by lead investigator, DCP Glen Hackett. Williams added when the matter was complete the public would be made aware through another media statement. Sources close to the investigation said no one was visited by police in jail and no one was co-operating with the police in relation to Seetahal’s killing.
Seetahal was shot twice in the right side of her head, twice in the right forearm and once in the chest on May 4 last year at the corner of Hamilton Holder and O’Connor Streets, Woodbrook. Her killer/s was so close to her that gunpowder residue was found on her clothing. Seetahal had just left the Ma Pau casino and was on her way to her One Woodbrook Place home.
On August 20 David “Junior” Baker, 28, who was identified by police investigators as Seetahal’s murderer was killed along with his nephew and neighbour at a house in central Trinidad.