Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) director Susan Francois has called on the police to step up their investigations into the murder of her sister, Senior Counsel Dana Seetahal, to ensure the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice. She said since criminals faced no legal consequences it was easy to conclude that murder was now a form of entertainment in T&T.
Francois made the statements during the launch of Seetahal’s book, titled Commonwealth Caribbean Criminal Practice and Procedure, Fourth Edition, at the Council of the Law Association of T&T, Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain. She would have celebrated her 59th birthday yesterday. Expressing her concern that no arrests have yet been made, Francois said: “It’s over two months now since my sister was brutally assassinated in the streets of our capital city and yet no one has been arrested.
“Her perpetrators have not been caught and it concerns me because inordinate delay in investigating homicide crime...there is a direct correlation between inordinate delay and unsuccessful conclusions. “This would lead to the impression that criminals could operate with impunity in this country. Inordinate delay, as well, in my view, leads to the perception that murder is a form of entertainment in this land of ours.”
Showing signs of emotion over her sister’s brutal killing on May 4, Francois demanded that T&T’s leaders and the law enforcement authorities move expeditiously to solve her sister’s murder. “This crime must not be a cold case,” Francois said. Pressed further on whether she believed the case would be solved, Francois spoke about T&T’s detection rate.
“We have to look at the detection rate of crime in this country and there must be a drastic rate of improvement of crime for people to have confidence that our law enforcement authorities are serious about solving crime.” She said there always has been full co-operation on her part. “Our contact with the police has been frequent. We have assisted the police in giving all the information that they have asked whenever they have asked for it,” she said.
Seetahal was ambushed and shot on May 4 on Hamilton Holder Street, Woodbrook, shortly after 12 am. She had just left Ma Pau casino on Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook, and was on her way home.
Dana’s last chapter
Former head of the Central Authority and former partner in Seetahal’s El Dorado Law Chambers David West said this edition of her book “unfortunately served as the last chapter in her outstanding life.” He said when Seetahal opened her chambers in 2008, she hired an interior decorator to reflect her personality and spirit. Saying Seetahal’s humility knew no limits, West said she would speak to other joggers while taking her routine runs and also the homeless.
He said: “Her humility knew no limits. She knew these men by name and could also recall the names and specific situations of their family members. “Dana was not only dedicated to her work. She was also committed to providing any assistance she could to those around her. “She was the best in the legal profession and afforded us all the opportunity to learn from her.”
CJ pays tribute
Chief Justice Ivor Archie, who paid glowing tribute to Seetahal yesterday, said he believed all efforts were being made to bring the case to a close. He said he, like the rest of the country, was anxious to see the killers were caught. He said: “I imagine that has been reported, that all efforts are being made in ensuring that a thorough investigation takes place. “While I understand people are anxious for resolution, there is no point in having a hurried investigation if at the end of the day the quality of the evidence is inadequate.
“So I would hope and expect that what is happening is that extreme care is being taken in the gathering of evidence, in ensuring if any arrests are made that it would be based on solid evidence. “So I continue to hope that the police are doing the job that they are mandated to do and like everyone else in this country I am anxious Dana’s killers be brought to justice.”