When Russel "Saucy" Joseph was arrested in connection with the murder of Balram "Balo" Maharaj, he was advised by a soldier that he should leave out the involvement of the soldiers from the case. Joseph, 36, who was originally charged with murder in Trinidad, waived his right to contest extradition, and went to Washington DC. As a co-conspirator, Joseph agreed to co-operate with the FBI and federal prosecutors, and entered a plea agreement with them. He pleaded guilty to two charges, and is hoping for a reduced sentence from Judge John Bates in exchange for his truthful testimony. He acknowledged to assistant US attorney, Bruce Hegyi, that if he lied, he could remain prison for the rest of his life.
In his testimony, Joseph "sung" and gave his evidence against his partners in crime, all of whom were later convicted. He also expressed fear at being in the Trinidad prison with the same defendants. However, his co-defendants never knew that he had spilled the beans until he was taken to the US. Joseph, a truck driver, gave his evidence-in-chief on June 2.
The following is the final part of his evidence-in-chief, showing when he was arrested in Trinidad.
Q: How long had you known Roger Gibbs?
A. Roderick.
Q. I'm sorry?
A. Roderick.
Q. I'm sorry, Roderick Gibbs. How long had you known Roderick Gibbs as of that point in time?
A. All my life.
Q. Do you know what Roderick Gibbs did for a living?
A. He was a member of the Defence Force.
Q. I'm sorry?
A. He's a member of the Defence Force.
Q. A soldier?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. What did Roderick Gibbs tell you? Mr Joseph, on or about January 17, 2006, did you have occasion to be interviewed by Constable Lucas and Constable Pinder of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. When you were interviewed by them on January 17, 2006, did you tell them about the involvement of soldiers in the kidnapping of Balram Maharaj?
A. No, sir.
Q. Why not?
A. I was told that I should leave the soldiers out of it.
Q. Who told you that?
A. Roderick did.
Q. Roger who?
A. Gibbs.
Q. Roderick Gibbs.
A. Yes.
Q. What were the circumstances under which Roderick Gibbs told you not to tell the police about the soldiers? Why did you listen to Roderick Gibbs when he told you that?
A. He was a member of the anti-crime unit. He told me that I should leave the soldiers out, that they would handle it.That's their part.
Q. That who would handle the soldiers?
A. They would, the soldiers.
Q. Did there come a time when you provided a supplemental statement to Constable Lucas and Constable Pinder on or about February 20, 2006?
A. Yes, sir, I did.
Q. And on that occasion, did you include the soldiers?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Now, when you gave the statements to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, were you under arrest?
A. No, sir.
Q. Did they advise you of your rights under Trinidadian law?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Had you been–were you subsequently charged in Trinidad and Tobago?
A. Yes, I was.
Q. What were you charged with in Trinidad and Tobago?
A. Kidnapping.
Q. Of whom?
A. Of Balram Maharaj.
