A second Diego Martin man has been charged with the murder of 19-year-old Jayden Rouff, who was fatally stabbed during J’Ouvert celebrations in Port of Spain earlier this year.
Malachi Fraser, 22, of Bagatelle Road, appeared before Master Valene Guerra-Abraham in the Port of Spain High Court on June 29, charged with Rouff’s murder. The matter was postponed to July 16.
Rouff, of East Dry River, Port of Spain, was taking part in J’Ouvert celebrations on February 16 when he was approached by a group of men who stabbed him several times about the body. He was taken to hospital, where he died.
Police said extensive investigations by officers of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations (HBI), Region One, led to Fraser being charged following advice from Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Anju Bhola-Mc Quan on June 17. One other man had previously been charged in connection with the killing.
Fraser is also being held under a Preventive Detention Order issued on April 28 under the Emergency Powers Regulations, 2026. According to the order, authorities have identified him as a member of the Bagatelle Organised Crime Group, which they allege is involved in housebreaking, armed robberies, home invasions, motor vehicle thefts, shootings and murder.
The detention order further alleges Fraser acted as a stash man and lookout during robberies and that he and other members of the group intended to escalate armed robberies, home invasions and vehicle thefts using firearms in the Bagatelle area and surrounding communities. The order says his preventive detention was necessary to prevent him from acting in a manner prejudicial to public safety.
