Guyanese Bank Manager Sentenced For Murder-for-Hire Plot

News Americas, New York, NY, Mon. Sept. 2, 2024: A Guyanese-born, New York-based bank manager was sentenced last week to 9.5 years in prison for orchestrating a failed murder-for-hire plot against her brother-in-law. Reshma Massarone, a 40-year-old branch manager at Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, allegedly told the intended hitman that “rat poison can do a great job,” according to court documents.

Reshma Massarone, a 40-year-old branch manager at Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, allegedly told the intended hitman that “rat poison can do a great job,” according to court documents.

Massarone plotted the murder between July and August 2023, communicating with the would-be assassin over Facebook Messenger. She was caught on security footage wiring a $2,500 down payment at a Western Union kiosk inside a Walgreens. Her plan was to have the hit carried out while her brother-in-law was traveling in Guyana. However, the individual she approached was a longtime friend and a Guyanese police officer, who went undercover to expose the plot. Massarone ultimately pled guilty to murder-for-hire and was sentenced on August 27.

In one message, Massarone urged the supposed hitman to act, writing, “You take care of business and you be a rich man.” In another, she warned, “either way, if I find somebody to do the job, you’re going to get blamed, so cut the bulls**t and let’s get it done.”

The plan began to unravel when the would-be hitman contacted the victim and his wife, leading them to report the threat to the U.S. Embassy in Guyana. The undercover officer also recorded a conversation in which Massarone insisted that the murder should appear as a robbery, with the recording later used as evidence in court.

In a presentencing submission, Massarone’s attorney argued that she acted “completely out of character” due to a “state of rage,” claiming her actions were provoked by her brother-in-law’s “twenty-five-year systemic harassment.” The defense claimed that the victim had relentlessly targeted Massarone after being denied the chance to marry her when she was 15, instead marrying her then-16-year-old sister.

Massarone’s attorney described a long history of harassment, including attempts to sabotage her career and personal life. Despite orders of protection and other measures, the victim allegedly continued his efforts to undermine her.

Massarone had previously sued two banks for racial discrimination during her employment, but both cases were dismissed.

Brooklyn’s West Indian American Day Carnival Marred By Gunfire

News Americas, BROOKLYN, NY, Mon. Sept. 2, 2024: The West Indian American Day carnival parade got off to a great start today until a lone gunman walked up to the crowd and started shooting this afternoon, New York police said.

A woman takes part in 2024 West Indian Day Parade on September 02, 2024 in Brooklyn, NY. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

The shooting marred an otherwise peaceful J’Ouvert and Parade celebration, the 57th annual carnival of Caribbean culture in Brooklyn, and one of the biggest parades in the world.

Revellers at the 2024 West Indian Day Parade along the Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, NY, on September 2, 2024. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Five people were shot on Eastern Parkway near Franklin Avenue in Crown Heights around 2:45 p.m. EST according to the NYPD. In a news conference, police said 4 males and 1 female were stuck by the gunfire. Police said 2 of the victims are in critical condition and 3 have non-life-threatening injuries.

A man takes part in the 2024 West Indian Day Parade along the Eastern Parkway in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

At least one person is still being sought. The suspect is described as a male 6’2″ to 6’3″ slim build. wearing a bandana, brown shirt, who fled Westbound on Eastern Parkway towards Classon Avenue, police said.

A man takes part in the 2024 West Indian Day Parade along the Eastern Parkway on September 2, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Police are asking the public to come forward with any video of the incident that may be helpful to their investigation.

Caribbean women take part in the 2024 West Indian Day Parade along the Eastern Parkway on September 2, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

“This was an intentional act by one person toward a group of people,” NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said. “We do not by no means have any active shooter, or anything of that nature, running around Eastern Parkway as we speak.”

A young child attends the 2024 West Indian Day Parade along the Eastern Parkway on September 2, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

The carnival is presented annually by the West Indian American Day Carnival Association, (WIADCA).

CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL IN NEW YORK

The roots of Caribbean Carnival in New York City can be traced back to the 1930s when Ms. Jessie Wardell and some of her West Indian friends initiated the celebration in Harlem. Due to the cold February weather, they hosted costume parties in large indoor venues like the Savoy, Renaissance, and Audubon Ballrooms. This timing aligned with the traditional pre-Lenten festivities celebrated in many countries worldwide. However, the indoor setting limited the true spirit of Carnival, which thrives on outdoor parades with music and vibrant costumes.

The first known Carnival street activity in NYC occurred in the 1940s when Ms. Wardell secured a permit for a parade in Harlem. In the 1960s, another Trinidadian, Rufus Goring, brought the Carnival tradition to Brooklyn. By 1967, Goring passed the leadership to Carlos Lezama, who became the president of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA). Lezama nurtured the organization and the Carnival until 2001, when he retired due to ill health, and his daughter, Yolanda Lezama-Clark, took over as president until 2011. In 2012, Thomas Bailey was elected president. All of these key figures spent their early years in Trinidad & Tobago.

The Caribbean’s Winning Formula: How Olympic Glory And Tech Are Shaping A New Era In Sports

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. Sept. 3, 2024: The Caribbean had an excellent 2024 Paris Olympic Games this summer. The nations that represented the region managed to get on the board with several wins, with six gold medals between them, having been earned a total of 25 medals.

St Lucia’s Julien Alfred celebrates after winning the women’s 100m final of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on August 3, 2024. (Photo by Martin BERNETTI / AFP) (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP via Getty Images)

Stories and history-setting moments were created, with St Lucia’s Julien Alfred winning her country’s first Olympic medal ever by upsetting America’s Sha’carri Richardson in the 100-meter sprint. She continued her impressive Games by landing a silver medal in the 200-meter race.

It wasn’t just her, as Thea LaFond managed to land Dominica’s first-ever medal at the Games, too. She beat out the competition in the triple jump event. Marileidy Paulino won gold for the Dominican Republic to get their first-ever gold at the Games by winning the 400-meter race, while Grenada managed to secure two bronze medals.

Jamaica has always been the region’s flag-bearer, which is why there are usually many expectations on their shoulders, especially by those who bet with Betway on the Games. For those interested in exploring betting options and staying updated on upcoming events, more information can be found on their official website or app. But with the smaller Caribbean nations starting to show promise, there may be more interest in these nations when the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics takes place.

How did each nation do?

Final Leaderboard based on Gold Medal Count

32. Cuba – 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 6 Bronze – 9 Total

44. Jamaica – 1 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze – 6 Total

55. Saint Lucia – 1 Gold, 1 Silver – 2 Total

59. Dominican Republic – 1 Gold, 2 Bronze – 3 Total

62. Dominica – 1 Gold – 1 Total

80. Grenada – 2 Bronze – 2 Total

80. Puerto Rico – 2 Bronze – 2 Total

Why have the Caribbean nations had a successful Olympics?

While there is no doubt that athletes are getting better and their success in Paris is likely to inspire new generations of competitors in the future, technology has played a vital role in helping to shape sport across many factors.

New technologies have been made available that have helped athletes with their training. Alfred and LaFond will have been able to use various forms of tech to enable them to perfect their performances. They will have been able to use footage to analyze certain aspects of their technique, use data to help them understand where they can be efficient, and watch what other competitors are doing to identify any potential weaknesses they can capitalize on.

Sport has only evolved in a physical capacity. Tech has revolutionized the way fans enjoy it. Viewing experiences have been altered as technology has allowed them to obtain better experiences. Fans can watch their favorite athletes compete in new ways, with tech even transforming the way they can bet on them, with operators like Betway providing enhanced odds and live streams that can be watched when the events are taking place.

A new era of sports for the Caribbean

With technological advancements, it’s possible to argue that Caribbean sports are entering a new era. The success witnessed in Paris will only fuel excitement and inspire their communities, but the availability of tech will give individuals the tools to potentially achieve sporting success themselves.