Security forces urged to be vigilant
[Trinidad Express] – Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has said while there is trepidation in the face of terror attacks, he will call for security efforts to be doubled.
Rowley left for Malta yesterday with his delegation, including his wife Sharon, to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta from November 27 to 29.
Rowley’s official trip comes in the wake of Islamic State (ISIS) terror attacks in Paris and when there’s heightened security in the UK and the rest of Europe.
“We hold ourselves out in the hands of the security services,” Rowley said.
“The simplest advice I can give is to be vigilant and call on our security services whose job it is to secure us, to double their efforts to ensure that we don’t fall prey to those who would set out to harm us.
Jazz Fest off
[Jamaica Observer] – THERE will be no Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in 2016, according to a statement from organisers.
The release was posted on the event’s website but gave no reason for the cancellation.
This year’s show was held at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium in late January with Mariah Carey, Charlie Wilson (of Gap Band fame), Peter Cetera, and the Pointer Sisters among the headliners.
The statement from organisers reads:
Dear Jazz Fans,
We are taking a year off to re-group and focus on planning a spectacular 20th anniversary celebration in 2017!!
While we are disappointed to not be back for 2016 (and we know how much you were looking forward to the show) rest assured we really tried to make 2016 a reality, however things just did not work out therefore instead trying to push and stage a Festival that would not be of our usual standard we decided to postpone it.
In the lead-up to our 20th anniversary, we are planning a number of teaser events and one night only concerts that you are going to love!
Stay tuned to this page and we promise not to be so silent again!
Look out for our announcements coming soon!
First held as the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in 1996, it was conceived by Allen Chastanet, then a senior executive at the airline.
The annual show attracted the biggest stars of the day as well as veteran acts.
Over the years, Erykah Badu, Babyface, John Legend, Kenny G, Celine Dion, Maroon 5, Kenny Rogers, Al Jarreau, Diana Ross and George Benson have performed on the show.
— H.C.
Murder accused was the real victim – relative
[St Lucia News Online] – Family members of 29-year-old La Pansee resident Cathy Jules, the woman charged with stabbing her longtime boyfriend Dave Monrose of New Village to death on Oct. 24, 2015, has said Jules was the victim of domestic violence and not the deceased.
Jules, who was formally arrested and charged on Thursday, Oct. 29, appeared in court on Friday, Oct. 30 on murder charges. She is remanded in prison and is scheduled to reappear in court on Dec. 4.
A relative, speaking to HTS News, said Jules was being abused for over 15 years by Monrose.
“She couldn’t go anywhere, she couldn’t dress, she couldn’t go and drop her kids to school and just stay and talk to someone for five minutes. When she come back she would just get beaten,” the relative alleged.
The relative said Jules, a mother of three, had spoken about her abuse to everyone. The relative pointed out that family members of Jules and Monrose are also aware of what she was going through.
“Only one side of the story you are hearing like she wrong to do that,” the relative told HTS.
On the night of the murder, the relative said Jules apparently “took enough already” and retaliated.
“Enough is enough. She couldn’t even go at her mother home. If she go by her mother and stay too long she will be getting licks.”
Monrose, 31, was stabbed by his lover in New Village at around 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. The Carasco & Son Ltd. employee succumbed at Victoria Hospital.
Members of the community had told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) that Monrose and his girlfriend, who had three children together, had a rocky relationship that included countless disputes and physical abuse. It is also alleged that the couple had also appeared in the Family Court.
Residents further alleged that the couple had a “heated fight” a day before the homicide.
One blogger also mentioned this in a post on SNO: “Two nights ago our church bus went to drop a member Carellie passing….it was about after 12, heard a big slap from the female to this man on our way down. Is like they have been fighting. I know the two very well, that is why I was able to identify them. This has been going on for years now between them.”
A source close to the deceased told SNO that on the night of the fatal incident, Monrose was accused of having an affair with another female in the area.
“The girl stab the man because she think he checking a girl in the area. The girl they stab the man for, everyone fraid the girl. She is real drama. Shooter was a good youth. Garcon trust me, that bring tears to my eyes,” the friend alleged.
He added: “That man was always jovial, could always make you laugh; a Miami Heat fan, so we always had it going on during the NBA season. Garcon, trust me, I feel that one and a lot of people too. He was a good youth, good comrade, no drama, no-trouble youth.”
However, other persons close to the suspect, paint a different image of the deceased, saying he was the abuser in the tumultuous relationship.
“Those comments about a good youth kills my heart. The way this man was beating the poor female that night and he constantly said to her “I f– killing you”, what good youth says that,” said one source.
“He even attacked his sister who attempted to separate him and the female. He insulted his mother. He would not back down. This hurts. It’s sad she resorted to this.”
Family members of the deceased have admitted that the couple, who had been friends since school days, had a violent relationship.
His mother told HTS that the couple “always have ups and downs” but they “got through it”.
“Everybody have problems,” the mother said, adding that she was concerned about their relationship.
