Back to case

Obeah Man Sent to Jail. 'Should not be left at large' says Magistrate. Books of 'Magic' in Court

Source details
View this source
Id:
1991
Title/Headline:
Obeah Man Sent to Jail. 'Should not be left at large' says Magistrate. Books of 'Magic' in Court
Publication/reference number:
Port of Spain Gazette
Date:
17/06/1931
Case source details
Pages:
Content:

'Not even his knowledge of 'black magic' his possession of 'Seven Books of Moses', his claim to being a healer and a solver of other people's difficulties could save Daniel Young from the iron hand of the law yesterday.' Young appeared before Mr Louis E Wharton, in City Magistrates' Court, charged with 'obtaining $2 by the assumption of supernatural power'. As he was sentenced, 'a look of perplexity broke over this countenance. It soon disappeared and calm resignation took its place. The defendant was evidently a well known 'Obeah Man' for when the raid was made on his premises, about thirty letters, coming from persons from even the most remote corners of Trinidad, were discovered.'

'Amusing' letters were read in court. 'One from a school master, explained to the defendant that he was momently expecting a transfer. He besought him to use his 'influence' on Director of education so he would not have to move too far from home. Another from a husband asking him to 'fix up ' his wife and sweet heart and his employer so not dismissed.'

Using Rufus Headley and Soomaria as decoys, Lieutenant-Corporal Babb handed them two marked $1 notes. He arranged that Headley would cough when everything was ready. The detective and his assistants hid. Headley and Soomaria entered the house. Young 'declared that she had four spirits in [sic] her. He promised to undertake the casting out of the devils for the sum of two dollars.' This money was handed over. Young left the room, and then returned with a lighted candle, flat stone slab, 'magic books', and a quatro. He handed Soomaria a bottle containing pinkish liquid, then took up his quatro, 'to perform the task of invoking the spirits'.

As soon as he commenced strumming the quatro the detectives came in, and seized all the items discussed above, Young was arrested.

Young pleaded not guilty. He explained that the liquid was for bathing pigs in dry season and claimed that the case for prosecution was a fabrication. Regarding the letters, he said: 'I do not know why they were written to me.' His counsel was G T Ramdehool, who pled for a fine.

His Worship refused this on the grounds that the offence is very serious.

The defendant had two previous convictions for impersonating the police, the ast one in 1914.

Other cases linked to this source   

No other cases are linked to this source.