You didn’t have to murder themBy RALPH BANWARIE Sunday, June 3 2012
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The roti shop at the corner of Providence Street and Ojoe Road in Sangre Grande from where Gerald Jones and Ann David (inset) are believed to have bee...
THE brother of one of two people found murdered in Manzanilla on Friday is urging their killer/s to give up.
Gerald Jones, 47, and his common-law-wife, Ann David, 44, both of Barker Trace, Coalmine, Sangre Grande, were found dead by police after a farmer alerted them to Jones’ body. The couple had initially been reported missing by their family on Thursday.
Yesterday, Gabriel Jones, who was still coming to terms with the brutal killing of his brother and his wife, had this to say to their killer/s, “You all apparently don’t know about love. Why kill our brother? If you robbed them already, why you had to slaughter them as animals?
“Think people! You may a have a brother or sister who you love very much and we are asking would you want someone to kill them as you did, as you had done to our brother? Repent and give up yourself.”
Gabriel Jones, who is a municipal police officer attached to Sangre Grande Regional Corporation, told Sunday Newsday that on Friday morning as he was getting ready for work, he received a call from his nephew, son of deceased, that the couple had not returned home since Thursday.
Calls to relatives revealed they also had not seen or heard from them and they immediately contacted 999 and informed the police of the couple’s disappearance. Gabriel said he was advised to get photos of the couple and take them to the Sangre Grande police and a make a report.
However, he said while at the station giving a report at about 2 pm he heard a report that two persons, one a male and the other a female, were found dead at a forested area on Caigual Road, Manzanilla, and realised it was his brother and wife. Gabriel said he could not control his emotion, broke down in tears and had to be consoled by police officers.
Jones has six brothers and two sisters, all of whom Sunday Newsday learnt had to receive treatment by medical doctors after hearing of the deaths.
“We are all shaken up by our brother and his wife’s death. Only on Wednesday we all had fun at the seaside for Indian Arrival Day,” one sibling said when Newsday visited the Sangre Grande community yesterday.
All members of the Jones family had the same to say about their brother, “he was quiet, humble, respectful and never had any quarrel with anyone”.
They said they were yet to inform his 70- year-old mother of his killing, as he was her “eyeball”.
Neighbours described Jones him as a cool and caring person, adding he would be missed. The Jones family also called on the lawmakers to immediately bring back the hangings, since they believe there will be many other citizens who will lose relatives at the hands of ruthless killers.
“The ruthless attitude of these criminals are very selfish and advantageous and are putting stress and grief to many families only because of greed and their want from others,” said Gabriel Jones.
“Remember those who live by the gun shall die by the gun. It is time we stop the kiling, put down the guns and weapons and look for some sustainable job that will make all comfortable.”
According to police reports, Gerald Jones’ body was found with chop wounds to the head and face and his neck partially severed, while Ann David, a roti vendor, was found in the front passenger seat of Jones’ vehicle with several stab wounds to her chest.
David operated a roti shop at the corner of Ojoe Road, Sangre Grande, obliquely opposite to the Sangre Grande District Hospital. Jones was a forest ranger employed with the Ministry of Food Production and Marine Affairs. A farmer from Castillino Trace, Second Caigual, Manzanilla, alerted officers at the Manzanilla station to the bodies after he stumbled upon them. The farmer said he was tending to his garden when he was alerted to Jones body after hearing a cellphone ringing.
A party of officers headed by Sr Supt Don Lezama, ASP Neville Sankar, Sgt Alfred, Cpl Soopadale, PC Arjoon and WPC Benjamin visited the scene. District Medical Officer Dr Njedinma viewed the bodies and ordered their removal to the Sangre Grande District Hospital mortuary.
The bodies are expected to be taken to the Forensic Science Centre in St James where autopsies will be performed tomorrow.
