Man chopped, beaten to death in Couva feud

One month after he moved into his father-in-law’s home, Timothy Bell got caught up in an ongoing feud which left him dead yesterday. Bell, 26, of Derry Lane, McBean, Couva, succumbed to multiple head and body injuries, 24 hours after he was allegedly chopped and beaten. Up to last night, a 45-year-old contractor remained in custody at Couva Police Station. Relatives of the contractor said he acted in self-defence after Bell and another relative attacked the contractor and his family. Police investigators said the fracas occurred around 11 am on Saturday after Bell went over to the suspect’s home to inquire about a previous feud between him and one of Bell’s relatives.

Witness Tiffany Thomas said the feud started on Divali night when her boyfriend, Matthew, got into an argument with the suspect. She said the suspect, who lived close by, did not want anyone looking over at his home. Thomas said around 11 am on Saturday, Matthew went to pick pommerac and while walking on the road, both men started arguing. Matthew’s father, Premdath Kanhai, said Bell later walked over to the suspect’s residence to find out why the he was acting in an anti-social manner. A fight ensued and it is alleged that one of Bell’s relatives jumped into the fray. Several other neigbours, however,  rushed in to help, after a man was allegedly dragged onto the road. By the time the police arrived, Bell was lying unconscious in the roadway.

Tiffany said they took a pillow and placed it on his wound to stem the flow of blood. However, he never regained consciousness and died at 11 am yesterday. Meanwhile, relatives of the suspect alleged that Bell came over to their home to cause trouble. Anjanie Bowlah said over the past few days, one of Bell’s relatives had threatened to start a war with them. She said they had just returned from the grocery when Bell’s relative attacked them. Bowlah said the entire incident got out of hand when Bell joined in the fracas. Police have since taken several statements in connection with the murder. Investigations are continuing.