Dragonfly Centre: Murder accused: I chopped her in fit of rage

Mission

Non-Profit, 501(c)(3)

Mission: The Dragonfly Centre is committed to the elimination of domestic violence against women and their children by providing victim friendly services that promotes the empowerment of survivors; through advocacy, public awareness and education and community based initiatives.

Vision: The Dragonfly Centre envisions a world free of violence against women and their children and social justice for all. We are founded on the vision and belief that every person has the right to live in a safe environment free from violence and the fear of violence and strive to work collaboratively with the community to provide victim friendly services to support domestic violence victims, survivors to the stage of thriving.

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Friday, January 13, 2012

Murder accused: I chopped her in fit of rage

...Court hears of physical abuses during arguments

Published: Thursday, January 12, 2012

Derek Achong

A 49-year-old man, charged with chopping his common-law wife, yesterday admitted to doing so in a fit of rage after an argument about her infidelity. The accused, Vishwandath Sharma, made the disclosure while testifying in his trial yesterday before Justice Hayden St Clair-Douglas in the Port-of-Spain Sixth Assizes. Sharma is before a 12-member jury for the murder of his wife, Georgina Sookoo, 40, on October 24, 2003. Sharma, who burst into tears several times while testifying, told the court he had confronted his wife on several occasions before her death about an extra-marital relationship but was physically abused by her each time.

“I loved her very much. I wish the whole incident did not happen... I just wish she was alive today,” Sharma said. During his three-hour testimony, Sharma claimed he was stabbed, chopped and hit over the head with objects, including a heating iron, by his wife during heated arguments. However, when asked in cross-examination Sharma could not provide any documents to prove his claims of abuse at the hands of his wife. He denied ever retaliating during the turbulent relationship besides on the night of her murder and claimed she constantly ridiculed him about his sexual inadequacies.

While being led through his testimony by his attorney, Daniel Khan, Sharma admitted to returning to her home on the date of her murder in an attempt to reconcile. Sharma said: “She tell me I just trying to make trouble for she and her lover. “I had the cutlass by my waist and she grab it and try to pull it away. “I grab the cutlass from her and she fell to the ground. I don’t know if it was the comments she was making or she screaming that make me chop her,” Sharma admitted. He said he fled the scene when he realised what he had done.

Sookoo, who was chopped across the face, later died while receiving treatment at hospital. “I have made mistakes, used and sold drugs in the past but I never meant to hurt or murder anybody,” Sharma said. Although Sharma claimed Sookoo was having an affair, he admitted he never actually caught her in the act. He also admitted he was deported from Canada in 2000 for drug-trafficking offences. He also said he had a wife and four children in Canada before being deported.

When arrested after Sookoo’s murder, Sharma provided police with the murder weapon which he stored at a mosque near where the attack occurred. After providing a witness statement where he admitted to chopping Sookoo, he was charged by ASP Neville Sankar of the Sangre Grande CID. In his signed witness statement after the incident, Sharma told police: “I done do the job, now I have to pay the price.” Sharma is also being represented by Shoba Nandalal, while the matter is being prosecuted by Jennifer Martin. The matter continues today.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/thursday-january-12-2012/murder-accused-i-chopped-her-fit-rage

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A Little Background…..

In 2007 I was introduced to the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is a beautiful tropical country located in the southern most part of the Caribbean archipelago. However, the opportunity to travel to this part of the world would not present itself until March of 2009. It was an incredible experience to be able to visit a country where I had never been before and I literally knew no-one. I had the privilege to experience a new culture and meet many wonderful people who made my trip an amazing experience. Although the purpose of my visit was recreational, something happened that changed all of that. One evening while on a hike with my tour guide and one of the locals at The ASA Wright Nature Centre, one of the men asked me where I was from and what I did for a living. It was at that moment that I disclosed that I was a Domestic Violence Advocate. He paused, looked at me and replied,… “we need you here”. At that moment I did not fully understand what he meant or how I could help.

A few days after this I visited one of the local court houses to learn about how someone could obtain a protection order. What I discovered disturbed me greatly, to say the least. The process by which abused individuals could obtain legal protections left much to be desired. This sparked grave concern for victims coupled with a desire to learn more about the local system and services. After I finished my travels all I could think about was the need of the people in Trinidad and Tobago. It was shortly after my return to the United States that the Dragonfly Centre for Women’s Empowerment and Transformation began to take form. While completing my Bachelors degree at Evergreen College, I developed an Individual Learning Contract entitled “Domestic Violence in Trinidad and Tobago” and was awarded The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. This allowed me to return to Trinidad and Tobago for my final quarter at the end of December of 2009 for my nine week study. My focus was on services addressing domestic violence. What I came away with was the echoing cries for help by the people who freely shared their personal views and stories. Although I wasn’t quite sure what, I knew I had to do something. As a consequence, it was these cries that gave birth to and helped shape the Dragonfly Centre to be what it is, a multifaceted institution with a focus on public education, shaping public policy and providing direct victim friendly services to support families dealing with domestic violence.