AG extradites man wanted in the US for triple murder
Attorney General Anand Ramlogan has extradited Keron Pierre, 27, to the United States to face charges relating to a triple homicide and attempted murder.
The Attorney General who is the head of the Central Authority successfully resisted attempts by Pierre, 27, to avoid extradition to the United States.
On the 23rd August, US marshals accompanied Pierre who left via Flight UA 1506 which departed at 12:13am to Newark, New Jersey. There they are expected transfer to another flight to Boston, Massachusetts which is due to arrive in Boston early Saturday morning. Pierre is expected to appear in a US Court in Boston, MA on Monday.
The triple murders are said to have taken place on the 29th March 2009 outside a house party in Boston.
It is alleged that Pierre and some of his friends were hanging out on the sidewalk in front of the house party when a car pulled up with the four victims, Anthony Peoples, Shakora Gaines, Chantal Palmer and Sharon Headley.
The four friends had reportedly left the house party when they realised that they had forgotten another friend behind. They had just pulled up in a car to the house party to pick up their friend when they met with Pierre and his group. Following a verbal altercation between the occupants of the car and a member of Pierre’s group, it is alleged that Pierre pulled out a semi-automatic handgun and began firing into the car.
Anthony Peoples, aged 19 years of Boston, Shakora Gaines, aged 20 years of Brockton, and Chantal Palmer aged 20 years of Brockton were shot several times about their bodies and succumbed to their gunshot wounds. Sharon Headley was the sole surviving occupant of the car.
Pierre was indicted on 12th January 2010 in the United States on 3 counts of murder, one count of armed assault with intent to murder and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm in absentia.
After discovering that Pierre returned to Trinidad, the United States authorities formally requested the extradition of Pierre.
Following lengthy extradition proceedings, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan signed the extradition order on the 31st July 2013, which cleared the way for Pierre to be extradited to the United States to stand trial for the charges relating to the triple murder.
The Attorney General through the Central Authority liaised closely with officials in the US Department of Justice and also with officials from the local branch of Interpol to facilitate a smooth and unhindered extradition.
This is one of the many successes of the Central Authority under the direction of the Attorney General. On 31st March this year, Doreen Alexander was extradited to the US to face charges relating to the kidnapping and murder of Balram “Balo” Maharaj. Alexander is currently awaiting trial in the US courts.
On 5th August 2013, Gary Govindass pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit hostage taking. Govindass was extradited to the United States in February 2012 to face charges relating to the kidnapping of Vedesh Mohan.
The extradition process relating to his alleged co-conspirator, Hassan Atwell is currently underway.
Additionally, Andy Nelson was successfully extradited to the United Kingdom on the 14th September, 2012 to face two charges for conspiracy to supply and import cocaine. On the 1st February, 2013 Nelson pleaded guilty to both charges.
The Attorney General also continues to liaise with US officials and provide legal assistance and practical cooperation in relation to David Migliore. Migliore is presently facing charges in the US of tax evasion and failing to file tax returns on approximately US$4m.
Attorney General Ramlogan has mandated the Central Authority to act swiftly on all requests for extradition and legal assistance to strengthen respect for the rule of law in the context of cross border crimes and the clear need for greater international cross-border co-operation amongst countries.
Courtesy the Ministry of the Attorney General