DOREEN ALEXANDER-DURITY

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) is making moves to extradite Doreen Alexander-Durity, the former common-law wife of murdered US citizen, Balram “Balo” Maharaj.

Alexander-Durity was one of three people who escaped extradition in 2006 when the FBI came to T&T and whisked away 12 Trinidadians for trial at the E Barnett Perryman Federal Court in Washington DC. The other two were Special Forces soldier Ricardo Stevenson and Santa Cruz resident Kenneth Pierre. Seven of the Trinidadians were found guilty on July 31, and will be sentenced on February 12, next year. Four pleaded guilty and testified for the US government, while David Suchit took his chances before the jury and was acquitted.

Two weeks ago, FBI officers from the US came to Trinidad, and went to the Women’s Prison at Golden Grove, Arouca. At the prison, they met with Alexander-Durity, and according to Guardian sources, they offered the woman a deal, to voluntarily go with them to the US, and take a guilty plea in return for a reduced sentence. The Guardian learnt that Alexander-Durity, 43, refused the offer and decided to stay in Trinidad. As a result, the FBI agents have returned to their base and all systems are now being put in place to make a formal request for Alexander-Durity and Stevenson.

The decision to request Alexander-Durity to go to the US was made after her mother, Inez Alexander, gave evidence for the prosecution on May 28. Alexander-Durity had an affair during which she had a son, Dinesh, for Maharaj. They were also engaged in a custody battle for Dinesh, now nine. Maharaj, 62, a Trinidadian, was kidnapped at the Samaan Tree Bar, Aranquez, on April 6, 2005. A $3-million ransom was demanded for his safe release. Maharaj died in the campsite in Santa Cruz. No money was ever paid, but Maharaj’s remains were found in two containers in the Santa Cruz forest on January 8, 2006.

Alexander-Durity, Stevenson and Kenneth Pierre, although they were never sought by the FBI before, were charged in Trinidad for Maharaj’s murder. They were committed to stand trial by Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls on December 19, 2006. The seven Trinidadians convicted in the US for taking Maharaj hostage were Kevin “Shaka” Nixon; Anderson “Gypsy’s Son” Straker; Christopher “Boyie” Sealey, Wayne “Ninja” Pierre; Cpl Ricardo De Four; Zion Clarke; and Kevon “Ketchit” Demerieux. They face a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. Four others pleaded guilty and testified for the US government. They are also awaiting sentencing. Disgraced soldier Jason Percival entered a guilty plea on November 16, 2007. On April 15, 2009, Sgt Leon Nurse, 44, of Morvant, pleaded guilty to charges of hostage-taking resulting in death and conspiracy to commit hostage-taking resulting in death.

Also pleading guilty to the offences were Russel Joseph, also known as “Saucy,” and Winston Gittens. Joseph pleaded guilty on July 26, 2006, while Gittens pleaded guilty on February 27, 2007.