| Police investigators were advised by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) not to lay charges against those alleged to have a role in last November’s arson attack on a building at the corner of Robb and King Streets. Three persons died in the blaze that destroyed the building.The Robb and King Street fire that killed the sisters and their father.This was the information given by a named investigating officer when the lawyer hired by the victims’ family made contact with the police for an update on the matter. Attorney-at-law Saphier Husain said that prior to this information he had written a letter to the Crime Chief since his services were secured by the victims’ relatives to ensure that justice is served.Husain told Kaieteur News yesterday that he is one of the lawyers hired by the Thomas family. He said that the family has a reasonable amount of evidence to identify orchestrators of last year’s fire which killed sisters 15-year-old Theresa and 12-year-old Feresa Rozario.The girls’ father, Hilrod Thomas, who had jumped through a window to escape the blaze, also succumbed to injuries after days in the hospital.The victims’ relatives are convinced that there is enough evidence for the police to conduct a thorough investigation and find persons culpable. Husain wrote to the Crime Chief on January 2 last,Wholesale China Jerseys, on behalf of Hazel Thomas,Cheap Soccer Jerseys, aunt of the dead girls and their father’s sister.The correspondence said that the “instruction and belief” is that the police have eyewitness statements and security camera footage that would allow them to identify the assailants. The lawyer also asked for urgent attention to be given to the case so that the family may receive justice and relief.However, to date,Cheap Jerseys, there has been no written response to this letter, Husain confirmed. He said that just an oral response by a senior rank was given to the effect that, “the file was sent to the DPP and advice not to charge was given”.When Kaieteur News last made contact with the DPP’s communication department yesterday, the publication was told that the last update on that matter was that the police had to return for further advice. But that was some time back, the staffer said, before promising another update on the matter today.With this new information, Husain has noted the possibility of having to write the Crime Chief again and visiting his office with the victims’ relatives. Crime Chief Leslie James told the publication that he would make checks and an update would be provided on the matter today.Fire Chief Marlon Gentle reiterated to Kaieteur News yesterday that the agency already pronounced on the November 17 incident, dubbing it an arson attack. The case, he said, is now being looked at criminally since police investigations were in order.City Hall also told Kaieteur News yesterday that permission was granted to someone to conduct repairs on the now razed building following the fire. According to Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green,NFL Jerseys China, the questions pertaining to that building had come up at a recently held Works Committee meeting where it was revealed that permission was granted by the city engineer to repair parts of the building since the fire damage would have made certain parts of the establishment unstable and dangerous.However, it was noted that since the building was in dispute,Cheap NFL Jerseys, no permission was granted to do any additional work until all investigations pertaining to arson and ownership are completed.Apart from the criminal aspect of this case, a legal battle might be brewing over the property. The dead Thomas was said to have been living in the disputed building for years. Information is that he claimed the building after the original owner had died, stating that he was given the property. He did not have the evidence to prove this. Another individual said to be a businessman was claiming the location. He too said he had no documentation for the building.However, the mother of the dead girls had told the publication that previous attempts were made to burn the building in a bid to force the occupants out. The occupants remained when that attempt failed. She said that the family has a fair idea who might have been involved in the fire since her children’s father was warned several times to vacate the premises or it would be burnt down.The Canada-based wife of the original property owner is alleged to have hired Attorney-at-law Robin Stoby, now of Sieve Wright Stoby and Company,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, to challenge documentation produced by those claiming the property. The attorney was not available when Kaieteur News made contact yesterday. His secretary promised to return the call.Eyewitnesses had told the media that two persons were seen setting fire to the property on the night in question. During the investigations, two persons, including a businessman, were arrested and subsequently released. Attorney-at-law Glenn Hanoman’s services were sought at that time. |
