‘Screechy’ dies, cops open sudden death probe
(CNS): A once notorious local gangster, Carlos Renton Russell (59), known as “Screechy”, was found dead in his North Side home earlier this week, CNS has learned. Despite his reputation, the convicted killer was believed to be leading a law-abiding life in recent years, even working as a security guard. Police confirmed that they have opened a sudden death inquiry but it appears that he died of natural causes. Russell was convicted in 2006 of manslaughter after shooting Phillip Wayne Watler (28) at the George Town Hospital the year before in a spate of gang violence.
Russell was found not guilty of murder by a jury but was convicted of manslaughter by reason of provocation and sentenced to eleven years in jail. The provocation was that the night before the killing, Watler, armed with an M16 automatic assault rifle, and Matio Dinall, armed with a nine-millimetre handgun appeared outside Russell’s home. Some 27 shots were fired into Russell’s home while he was inside with his stepson, his stepson’s wife and their infant daughter. Some of the shots were fired into the baby’s bedroom while she slept.
The following day Russell went to visit his friend, Sheldon Brown, who was at the time in hospital recovering from a gunshot wound he had sustained in gang-related violence a few days earlier. Russell, who had a gun and was wearing body armour when he arrived at the hospital, spotted Watler there. During the trial, Russell claimed that when he saw him, with the events of the night before playing in his mind, he reacted as a result of uncontrolled rage and shot him outside the hospital entrance.
Brown, who eventually went to prison for the attempted murder of James Fernando Martin, also died of natural causes in 2019 after he was released from jail early suffering from terminal cancer.
Around two years after Russell was released from jail, he almost lost his own life at the hand of his younger brother as a result of a family rift that escalated out of control. Easton Rudolph Russell (50) had lived a very different life to his brother. He was a law-abiding, family man but he was pushed to the brink by his older and more violent brother by constant provocation and threats, including threats to kill his wife and children. The younger Russell snapped and chopped his brother with a machete, delivering a number of serious head and body injuries.
But given all of the circumstances that led up to the incident, the judge was lenient and Easton Russell was given a four year jail term, despite the severe injuries he inflicted. Having survived the near death ordeal, Carlos Russell was said to have lived a much quieter life as he gradually recovered from his very serious injuries.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Wasn’t Screechy and Easton also involved with a shooting incident on West Bay Road, years prior to the 2006 shooting at the hospital?
Yall though it was just the hospital shooting that he was involved in??? Stop sugar coating his dirt!!!
I swear you ppl are sickening. Always digging up a person’s family lineage to remove them from any claim to being Caymanian. I’ve never seen this in my life before and to be honest its disgusting and shows just how damaged and inferior you feel on the inside. I hope you all get better soon. There are plenty of good therapist here, I’m sure you can get the help to resolve your feelings.
“I’ve never seen this in my life before”. Yes you have.
Well yes, I’m seeing it now in the responses to this article. It’s terrible, like a bunch of crabs in a barrel.
Let the man Rest In Peace please. If there is any judgement to be passed the Almighty will do it
He murdered someone. Even though the other person was probably a waste of space with shite parents too.
Did you know the other person??? If you did you wouldn’t be saying that!!!!!
I knew him very well 11:46. He was indeed a waste of space, a dangerous waste of space. That does not mean he should have been killed but….yes, he was a waste of space.
It takes one know one huh?? Waste of space…haaaaaaa
The man that you are clearly trying to defend is NO ANGEL even the Police was looking for him about 2 months ago for threatening someone….so honey you and him is the waste of space
I personally knew screetchy as a police constable many years ago. To me, he was a humble and down to earth man. Screetch was the type of guy that if he had the cell keys, he would lock himself in behind the bars. He was very compliant and obedient to authorities. I am sorry to hear him go. I am sure he will be missed. Even in Prison, alot looked up to him – both criminals and officers. He commanded alot of respect. RIP. May his soul attain presence with the Lord.
He was truly reformed and it is sad that people can’t really comprehend that.
may he rip but didn’t know he was a police officer, then gangster then security guard… interesting roles but do hope he did reform, I always found him friendly and non-threatening
And not just a police officer, a police constable to boot!!
Knew him as Sammy: never Screetchy. Same guy?
Same person
RIP Screech!
Ya’ll always have the MOST to say. He changed his life around for the better the last few years. Who don’t know anything shouldn’t comment really. I hate it here
There will always be haters, he did what he had to do to protect his family. People talking as if they wouldn’t do the same! His young 1 year old grand baby was in that room and could’ve been killed! And it’s just supposed so stay like so?! LOL
The lifestyle he was living caused consequences for the entire family! They lucky he eventually died of natural causes.
People toting illegal fire arms are usually not law abiding citizens. In that era the “gangs” were wreaking havoc in Cayman’s peaceful community and now we have a couple of generations still suffering the consequences and retaliating.
So yes some people are wasting a privileged life we have afforded to us here.
Then don’t read here or post here!
Your choice!
Jamaican built Cayman
Which one?
JAMAICAN built what place Man/Woman wake up & stop smoking whatever it is you’re smoking. Because you’re talking nothing but bullshit. It’s the elderly CAYMANIANS that built Cayman to what it is today fool.
Back in those days they would trade things between both countries (Cayman & Jamaica) and that when they were good Jamaicans-(they did things from the heart)& were humble people. But these days majority of them only come here to mash up the Country with their old corrupt self & reap what they didn’t sow. When you go around the Roman’s you do as they do are you leave. But this is one Nation just have a mentality to do what they do home anywhere they go.
Not having anything against any Nation but if the Government don’t try & do something with them quickly they are going to have Caymanians out numbered & take over the mash up the Country.
They come here & selling everything thi g you can think about, having fish drys, boat cruises, opening their stores if they do have one all odds hours of the nights come on that’s a RED flag right there selling/corrupt things that’s illegal.
WAKE UP CAYMANIANS, GET BACK THE COUNTRY LET’S MAKE IT THE CAYMAN IT ONCE WAS. Cha…KMT!
Many people don’t like to hear your preachings
But preach on bro
Maybe we will get a government one day soon that will force the Governor and Civil Service to do their jobs when it comes to internal security and enforcement
3;20. You do realize you are living in one of the safest places on earth. Zzzzzzzzzz
Poster you are preaching to the wrong crowd! Who do you think are buying buying from the fish fry? Buying tickets to go boat cruises? Going to the jamaican restaurants and eating their food? Going to jamaican owned salons, barber shops, clothes stores to spend their money? If you feel so strongly about Jamaicans coming here to wreck Cayman then stop using the services of Jamaican owned businesses, demonstrate and lead by example and take a big sign to George Town and protest. Enlist your fellow Caymanians to protest against the Jamaicans. Protest with your Government to have ALL Jamaicans sent back to Jamaica. Deport all Jamaicans because they must ALL be criminals running from authorities in Jamaica. Send them back. On a side note, did you hear about the recent CXC merit list? It’s a regional list showing the ranking of students in their subject. 13/15 students from Cayman made the list. First ever. Such a pity their teachers are Jamaicans.
You all too busy watching the Jamaicans while there are others who are making it harder for you to meet your basic needs your basic needs.
A born Caymanian.
And it shows.
Not the first criminal to be hired as a security guard now, is it.
1.38pm Seemingly hired as a policeman too, only in Cayman.
Because it’s always a good idea to have an ex-felon as a security guard. HOLY CRAP..you really can’t make this stuff up. 😳
If a person has served their time, they should be viewed as a clean slate, with their priors well behind them. How else can our formerly imprisoned men and women go on with their lives? If they fall again, then fine, but everyone deserves a second chance.
I myself have had several chances. I am glad for all of them, and so is my family.
Serve their time for murder? No one serves their time for murder unless it’s in self-defense.
Then it would not be murder!
Murder is murder.
Sure, let’s give all the corrupt cops and convicted murderers a break so that they can be gifted jobs in positions of security and trust. This is Cayman after all! How else do we expect $65mln in drugs to walk out of a secure evidence locker inside a barbed wire fenced police station entrusted to private security? At least the RCIPS have the sense to open the sudden death inquiry. This was someone who knew too much, for too long and probably quite a few foes that wanted him gone.
Your reply sums up the problem in Cayman’s society. Every wrong should always be cleaned from the slate. If a child molester, after serving his time, apply to home school your kids I hope you give that person the job. After all that person has served their time and their slate has been wiped clean.
Wait. So a convicted felon/killer can get a job as a SECURITY GUARD? LMFAO!! Who was the company that thought it was okay to hire him? They need to be investigated as the earlier comment said.
Seriously folks. You cannot make this up.
And you wonder why Caymanians do not understand what corruption is??
This is so unbelievable and hilarious at the same time.
Dah wah ya get!
I can assure you he was NOT hired a Security Guard (not legally anyway). Security Guards must be Licensed through the RCIPS after providing supporting documentation that you have been trained as such.
Save it! You trying to hide your un-audited works or something?
Lol! As stated in the very first paragraph Bobo. Reading comprehension not your forte?
“Despite his reputation, the convicted killer was believed to be leading a law-abiding life in recent years, even working as a security guard.”
How can a gangster work as a security guard? I wonder how much info he fed to his former associates. The company involved should have its license revoked! The security licensing is a complete joke.
a reformed gangster can make a very good security guard as:
1) reputation- they are known to the public
2) experience- they have experience on being on the otherside and so know what to look for, the suspicious activity, etc, as they have lived it.
3) Man has to work, he has served his time and his punishment, what job would you give him? Bank clerk, MLA, etc
Also knows how to handle a weapon.
I can’t believe the stupidity of your rationale.
Sheesh, we have some education lacking here.
And would you hire a child-molester to babysit your children…..
Wouldnt be the first convicted man to serve as an MLA!
I remembered when both Easton and Carlos arrived in Cayman from Jamaica. We all attended George Town Primary in the 70’s.
And the pount is…?
So these innocent children left jamaica to cayman and were corrupted in the school system here? Omg, such terrible news. Thank you for sharing this very important bit of information.
Just like so many others that arrived from Jamaica as children and have made positive choices. We then celebrate them as “Caymanians” but don’t ever let them slip or fall then the haters come out bashing them as no good Jamaicans!
So true.
They made me take a medical, buy their health insurance, start a business and pay for my own police certificate hahahahaha.
Are all those mentioned born Caymanians, I somehow doubt it.
The 2 younger Russell brothers were born in Jamaica to Jamaican parents and came to Cayman in pre-teen/early teen years.
There is also Conrad (the eldest), a quiet and gentle man.
Sammy had significant influence over Easton in his early years but Easton was able to break the influence with the help of mutual friends of the 2 younger brothers.
Sad all around.
Why were they not deported when their criminality came to light?
Because they are Caymanian
Nope. Jamaicans. Erroneously granted status perhaps, but still capable of being deported if anyone enforced any laws around here.
So Caymanians then.
@9:06 – because “born Caymanians” don’t commit crimes, right? Also, a Caymanian is a Caymanian is a Caymanian. – Caymanian.
12:12 only an expat would say that
When I read this, it makes me even more annoyed about all the comments here on CNS blaming all crime on the expats.
Umm, a number of expats are amongst those named.
Hardly expat, they spent their preteen and teenage years being corrupted in Cayman, and now have been in Cayman for a duration 4 times longer then they spend as babies in Jamaica.
I think the term you guys prefer is driftwood, or one of Mac’s special status grants.
Still from foreign. Like a great number of “our” criminals.
Actually, ALL Caymanians originate from somewhere else.
People are people.
They are respectful or not.
Where they came from makes no difference.
It’s how they live their life.
Except our laws expressly require that expatriates that come here and cause problems have to leave. Only the most deserving should be granted status, and keep it.
Your politicians you elect don’t give a crap about that. Only lining their pockets. Laws aren’t enforced here. Haaaa
The typical expat spewing what they don’t know. A little more pressure from FATF and you will see the white-collar criminals exposed.
so right, like the Cayman Football Association investigation, so many expats were charged.
One of those involved great, great grandmother on his mothers side came from Jamaica 80 years ago, so not an expat.
Expats are always to blame
Many of the CIFA/FIFA bandits charged to date or mentioned in U.S. court documents are full-bred Jamaicans, except Jeff Webb, whose biological mother is Caymanian & [she] is his bonified connect to these islands. Just to be truthful. Furthermore, post 1960s, “Jamaicans built Cayman” along with the indigenous Caymanian population; and, as a result, a diaspora was born. Now, more than 50 years later, these islands have fostered a population of neo-natives, unofficially, though intriguingly, known as “Caymaicans”. And, we have yet to honestly embrace it- that is, the history that has since defined these islands.
Isn’t the extended Webb family originally from Jamaica?
Jeff’s father was born in Jamaica
When has Cayman ever had an indigenous population?
So true 8:51am, and when has Jamaica ever had one?
Next thing that I will hear is that the Carib and Arawak were indigenous to the inner Caribbean Basin….. hmmnnn
Actually, that argument applies in many parts of this big wide world.
Between about 1800 and 1960.
That’s not indigenous, that’s migration.
And if you read above you’d see they are actually Jamaicans. Hmmmm … ok – carry on!
And your point is? Where the crimes committed in Jamaica?