标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a distinguished ceremony held on November 18, twin sisters Kathy and Karen Norman—renowned for their influential medium band K2K Alliance and Partners—were formally inducted into the Hall of Excellence at St Joseph Convent, Port of Spain. The event, hosted biennially at the school’s chapel on Pembroke Street, celebrates exceptional alumni who have made significant contributions to society.

Established in 2001 by the school’s Past Pupils’ Association, this year’s induction was graced by Archbishop Jason Gordon, who delivered the opening prayer. Maritza Ramphal, the school’s current principal and first vice-president of the association, provided welcoming remarks, while Effuah Alleyne, president of the Past Pupils’ Association, concluded with a vote of thanks.

The Norman twins stood among twelve honorees, including Meta’s Vice President of Accessibility and Engagement Maxine Williams, Arrive Alive President Sharon Inglefield, and former SJC principal Anna Pounder. Their pen portraits highlighted extraordinary academic achievements, with each twin securing ten CSEC subjects—including art, where both received awards for their submissions titled ‘The Cycle of Life’ and ‘Life in its Complexity.’

Their early artistic development was further shaped by interviews with mas designers Peter Minshall and Wayne Berkeley, conducted as part of their School-Based Assessments. These experiences ignited their passion for costume design and creative expression. Throughout their school years, the twins consistently contributed their artistic talents to class and school projects. At the Advanced Level, Karen was recognized as the Caribbean’s most outstanding art student, and both portfolios were retained by Cambridge as exemplary references for future generations.

A Trinidad and Tobago High Court judge has expressed profound concern over the Director of Public Prosecutions’ explanation for failing to file indictments against three police officers nearly five years after they were committed to stand trial.

Justice Frank Seepersad, presiding over a December 2 status hearing for the officers’ judicial review claim, characterized DPP Roger Gaspard’s explanation as raising “serious constitutional concerns” regarding the justice system’s handling of delayed cases.

The case involves Sgt Lester Garcia, Cpl Sheldon Peterson, and PC Dexter Edwards, who faced three counts of misbehavior in public office since their initial charges in October 2014. The officers were committed to stand trial in January 2020. Tragically, Peterson, who had been suspended pending trial, was killed during a botched robbery in 2024.

Gaspard asserted in an October 21 affidavit that the inability to proceed with indictments stems from incomplete documentation from the Arima Magistrates’ Courts. Specifically, audio recordings of the main witness’s testimony were deemed “indecipherable,” preventing prosecutors from preparing necessary transcripts and conducting a lawful evidence review.

The DPP explained that without usable recordings, his office cannot determine whether a prima facie case exists or assess whether prosecution serves the public interest—a constitutional requirement under section 90 of the Constitution. Although Gaspard instructed his staff to accept the compromised bundle in November 2023, he intended to return the matter to the magistrate for additional evidence. This plan was complicated by the subsequent appointment of presiding magistrate Indrani Cedeno as a temporary judge.

Gaspard revealed his office is currently reviewing approximately 400 capital matters for indictment, with 569 indictments pending at the Port of Spain office at the time of the officers’ committal. He cited systemic challenges, including statutory requirements and limited staffing, noting that delays of several years are not unusual in Trinidad’s justice system.

However, Justice Seepersad challenged the normalization of extended delays, stating the court “should not genuflect to that practice” given the justice system’s obligation to ensure timely trials. The judge indicated that staffing constraints described in the affidavit “may suggest systemic issues” requiring significant resourcing.

The case now raises fundamental constitutional questions about what guarantees exist for accused persons awaiting High Court trials and what constitutes a reasonable timeframe for filing indictments. Justice Seepersad is expected to deliver a ruling on February 24, 2026, which could have significant implications for Trinidad’s criminal justice procedures.

A midday medical emergency culminated in a multi-vehicle collision in Port of Spain on December 1st, prompting a significant police response and raising questions about emergency service timelines. The incident unfolded around 9:30 AM on Ariapita Avenue when a 63-year-old taxi driver experienced a sudden seizure while operating his vehicle.

Losing control due to the medical episode, the driver’s car veered onto Scott Bushe Street, where it subsequently collided with five stationary, parked vehicles. The impact resulted in injuries to two individuals inside the taxi. The 63-year-old driver was found unresponsive at the scene, while a 51-year-old female passenger in the front seat sustained a back injury.

Bystanders and passers-by played a crucial role in the immediate aftermath, swiftly assisting both occupants from the damaged vehicle and moving them to a safer location in a nearby carpark. Law enforcement officials arrived promptly to secure the area and cordon off the street for investigation.

The emergency response was notably aided by a certified first-aid provider, a good Samaritan who worked in the vicinity and offered critical initial medical assistance before professional help arrived. A point of concern emerged as the official ambulance service took over an hour to reach the location following the incident’s occurrence.

Local authorities have confirmed that an active investigation into the precise circumstances of the accident is ongoing, examining all factors surrounding the collision.

A Tobago handyman has been ordered to complete 240 hours of community service after pleading guilty to issuing death threats against a senior government official through social media platforms. The Scarborough Magistrates’ Court delivered the verdict following the defendant’s admission of posting threatening comments targeting Chief Personnel Officer Dr. Daryl Dindial.

Jason Wright, 49, of Moriah, Tobago, appeared before Magistrate Gill in the Scarborough Magistrates’ 2nd Court facing charges of making statements prejudicial to public safety. The case originated on November 24 when Dr. Dindial received a WhatsApp message containing a link to a TikTok video featuring a public service announcement. Beneath the video, a user identified as ‘Buju B’ – subsequently revealed to be Wright – had posted explicit threats stating: ‘HE IS A PNM AND HE WILL NOT PAY THAT MONEY AT TIME… PPL NEED TO FIXED HIM GOOD TAKE HIS LIFE.’

The threatening message prompted immediate concern from Dr. Dindial, who expressed genuine fear for both his personal safety and that of his family members. He promptly filed an official report with the Scarborough Police Department on the same day.

Law enforcement authorities, under the leadership of ASP Piggott and Insp Mohammed, conducted a thorough investigation that led them to Wright’s residence. During questioning, the defendant confessed to publishing the threatening comment and demonstrated apparent remorse for his actions. Police confiscated three mobile devices as evidence during the arrest operation. Wright was formally charged under Section 241 of the Emergency Powers Regulations by acting Cpl Moses of the Scarborough Police Station.

The court has established stringent consequences for non-compliance with the sentencing terms. Should Wright fail to complete the mandated community service hours, he will face alternative penalties of a $3,000 fine or six months’ simple imprisonment. This case highlights the legal system’s increasing attention to digital threats and establishes precedent for social media accountability.

The Bocas Lit Fest, in collaboration with Let’s Read, successfully orchestrated an engaging Family Reading Circle event at the St Joseph Old Road Community Centre in Port of Spain’s East Dry River district on November 22. This specialized literacy initiative brought together 22 young children and their parents for an immersive read-aloud experience designed to foster early childhood development through literature.

Children’s author Mary Cuffy captivated the audience with dynamic readings from her acclaimed Ladybug book series, particularly enchanting attendees with the adventures of ‘Lola and the Dancing Ladybugs.’ The session transformed into an interactive experience as children enthusiastically participated in sing-along segments, bringing the narrative to life through musical engagement.

Suzette Cadiz, representing Let’s Read, complemented the program with spirited readings of beloved children’s classics, further enriching the literary experience for the young attendees. The carefully curated selection of stories aimed to simultaneously entertain and educate, addressing multiple developmental domains through narrative engagement.

The Family Reading Circle program represents a strategic approach to early literacy development, specifically targeting children aged seven years and under. The initiative’s methodology focuses on transforming reading from a passive activity into an interactive experience that strengthens language acquisition, comprehension capabilities, and emotional intelligence. By creating positive associations with literature, the program aims to establish foundational reading habits that can evolve into lifelong literary engagement.

Bocas Lit Fest formally acknowledged Pompey Joseph’s Tutoring Academy for providing the community venue, highlighting the importance of cross-organizational collaboration in advancing educational initiatives within local communities. This partnership model demonstrates how shared resources and expertise can effectively support childhood literacy development in accessible community settings.