Raging fires follow soldier’s deathBy Nalinee Seelal Wednesday, January 2 2013
Mystery surrounds the death of a soldier who was strangled while guarding an ammunition bunker at Teteron. Relatives are insisting that he was killed by another soldier.
Yesterday, angry relatives of murdered soldier Curtis Marshall staged a fiery protest outside their Bushe Street, San Juan home, by burning debris, to voice their concerns over the death of Curtis Marshall.
Tyres were placed across the road and set ablaze as relatives of the murdered soldier and other residents chanted repeatedly in the pouring rain “We want justice!”
Police officers from the Morvant Police Station along with fire officers were summoned to the scene and the burning tyres were extinguished. However that did not deter persons from re-igniting debris further along Bushe Street which led to brief clashes with police officers.
Although no one was arrested, persons were warned by officers that they faced arrest if they continued to block the roadway.
Marshall, 29, died on Saturday night after he was found on the lawn adjacent to the arms and ammunition bunker at Teteron Barracks in an unconscious state. The father of one, was rushed to a hospital in Cocorite where he was pronounced dead.
On Monday, an autopsy carried out at the Forensic Science Centre St James by government pathologist Dr Eastlyn McDonald-Burris revealed, death was due to strangulation. Marshall’s brother Dennis is now demanding justice and believes, his brother was killed by one or several of his own colleagues.
He said, his brother was in charge of the arms and ammunition container at Teteron Barracks and believes, he may have discovered some discrepancies in relation to the arms and ammunition which may have resulted in him being killed. Marshall added that the last time he spoke with his brother was last Friday when he called him and asked for his pants and shirt sizes to purchase gifts for him and also seized the opportunity to wish him a Happy New Year. According to Marshall, when he received the news of his brother’s death on Saturday night, he quickly returned from his trip abroad and was the person who identified his brother’s body at the Forensic Science Centre.
He said, after viewing his brother’s body, he remained convinced, he was murdered.
Yesterday, while standing among other angry relatives, Marshall said: “My family and I will not rest until we get justice and in the meantime we will be seeking legal redress on the matter because Curtis’ only dream was to become a soldier and having achieved that dream, he did not deserve to die such a violent death.”
He added that relatives are hoping, the matter will not be swept under the carpet and the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice. Sources revealed yesterday, the TT Defence Force carried out a second autopsy and this was done by an independent pathologist.
The results of that second autopsy are still to be released. In the meantime, homicide officers yesterday visited Teteron Barracks and interviewed several soldiers and colleagues of Marshall who were on duty, the night, he died.
Funeral arrangements were still being finalised yesterday.
