Family feud led to bloody prisoners brawl

A prisoners’ feud ended up in court last Friday after one man attacked another accused of killing his brother.

Anthony Samaroo

Brian Samaroo called `Lil Scare Dem’ currently an inmate of the New Amsterdam prison appeared before Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm.

He admitted that on May 10, he attacked fellow inmate prisoner, Naresh Ramjohn called ‘Naresh Mahase’ or ‘Saddam’. Ramjohn has been charged with the murder of Samaroo’s older brother, Anthony Samaroo, which occurred on July 2, 2008 at Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam.

According to the facts of the case, on May 10, the two men were among other prisoners in the court lock-ups waiting to be transported back to the New Amsterdam Prison. Police prosecutor, Inspector Satrohan Dayaram told the court that an argument erupted between the two men over the killing of Anthony. He said Samaroo picked up a piece of wood which was lying in a corner and hit Ramjohn in the head. The injured man was taken to the New Amsterdam hospital with blood gushing through his nose, the prosecutor said. Samaroo was taken into custody and subsequently charged.

In admitting to the charge, Samaroo told the court that “he (Ramjohn) killed me brother and the two awe had an argument and a lil scramble and he head get burst”. He begged the magistrate for leniency saying that he was already serving a three-year sentence and asked for “something small so it can work in”. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment, which will begin at the completion of his current sentence. The magistrate also admonished the police for having wood in the lock-ups.

Ramjohn’s two brothers Joseph and Khemraj Ramjohn have also been charged with Anthony’s murder but the latter two remain at large with arrest warrants issued for them. The two families have had an ongoing feud which resulted in the three Ramjohn brothers allegedly killing Anthony. On that day, the Samaroo’s 15-year-old brother was involved in an argument with the three Ramjohn brothers at Levi Dam, Angoy’s Avenue. It was reported that the brothers assaulted the younger Samaroo, who went home and told Anthony who went and confronted them.

During an altercation Anthony was stabbed about his body with a pitch-fork. He was admitted to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he subsequently died. The brothers were on the run but Naresh was recently picked up on a narcotics charge.