Woman, 29, held in man’s death after domestic dispute

A 29-year-old woman of San Fernando was in police custody last night after 32- year-old Akintunde Tannis was fatally stabbed during a domestic row. Tannis died around 2.14 am yesterday while being treated at the San Fernando General Hospital for stab wounds to the throat. He was the father of a five-year-old girl. He had been taken to the hospital around 10.30 pm on Monday by the woman’s relatives.

The woman, who is the mother of a five-year-old girl from a previous relationship, was detained after the altercation at her home on San Fernando Street, San Fernando. When a T&T Guardian team visited Tannis’ home in Ste Madeleine yesterday relatives were shocked that he and the woman were still friendly. They said Tannis and the woman had a “falling-out” some time ago after which she stopped coming to their home.

His uncle, Shawn, 39, and his wife, Michelle Ramcharitar, who shared an apartment with Tannis, said they did not know what led to his death. Shawn is demanding justice for Tannis’ death He said Tannis’ mother, Lynis Keane, who lives in the United States, is expected to come to Trinidad on Saturday for her son’s funeral.

Shawn added: “He was a ‘harden fella.’ He never used to listen. If he knew he was not supposed to go back there he would go. He kept to himself.” He said the woman had a “violent streak” and was possessive of his nephew. “She like to own people. For the simplest thing she would get vex. The last time they had a fallout it was for a phone call Akin get. She take the phone and mash it up. She was hotblooded,” he added.

Ramcharitar said the woman also “branded” Tannis with a hot iron when she caught him talking on his cellphone. Shawn said he last saw Tannis on Monday afternoon. He said after he cleaned his room he left home to collect some money from a co-worker at Stanleyville, Ste Madeleine. Shawn said by the time he went to bed Tannis had not returned but as he had been sleeping out often he did not worry.