A 31-year-old Venezuelan welder has been remanded to prison after being formally charged with the murder of Rodwell “Kabaloo” La Cruz.
Jose Armando Alsena Coll, a resident of Sheriff Street, Georgetown, appeared via Zoom before Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse at the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. He faces a murder charge laid contrary to Common Law.
The charge stems from an incident that occurred on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, within the Iwokrama Protected Area along the Siparuni River in Region 8. The victim, 30-year-old Rodwell La Cruz, was a resident of Warapoka Village in the North West District (Region 1).
Following the incident, a multi-month investigation led to the arrest of the defendant on Thursday, May 28, 2026. He was officially charged four days later.
During the court appearance on Tuesday, the indictable charge was read to the defendant. In accordance with legal protocol for capital offences, Coll was not required to enter a plea. Magistrate Nurse denied bail, ordering the defendant to be remanded to prison.
The matter has been adjourned until June 26, 2026, when the case is expected to resume.
