Roughly five and a half years after six year old Paris Griffith was burnt alive at her Laventille home, four men have been committed to stand trial for her murder.

Akil Elder, Ako John, Akeido Edwards and Kashaun Boyce are also charged with committing arson and attempted murder of the child’s mother, who managed to escape from the burning structure. 

The incident occurred in August 2016. 

Paris and her mother were at home at Straker Village, Laventille, when the woman realized the house was engulfed in flames.

The woman escaped through a space at the side of the front door of the house but was unable to secure her daughter’s escape. Residents were also unsuccessful in their attempts to rescue the child.

Members of the Cold Case Unit pursued the investigation in 2018. It resulted in four suspects being charged by lead investigator Sgt (Ag.) Sheldon Narine for the offences based on instructions received from the Director of Public Prosecutions, Roger Gaspard, SC.