Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
Neesa Gopaul PI commences
The preliminary inquiry into the murder charge against gym instructor Jarvis Small and his lover, Bibi Sharima Gopaul, got underway yesterday before Magistrate Priya Beharry, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The two are accused of killing Queen’s College student Neesa Gopaul, between September 24 and October 2, at Madewini on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. Police Prosecutor Robert Tyndall is handling the matter for the state.
Barry Small yesterday at court
First to take the witness box was Corporal Anoudh Bissoon. He gave evidence in chief about a medical examination form.
Attorney at law Samantha Smith, who appeared in association with Senior Counsel Bernard Dos Santos for Small, declined cross examination.
However attorney at law Mishka Puran, who appeared in association with her father, Vic Puran, for Gopaul, objected to the tendering of the medical form.
Magistrate Beharry after listening to the arguments allowed the medical to be tendered into evidence.
Second to take the stand was Special Constable Jennifer Sumrah. She gave evidence about a report which was made earlier by the deceased. Cross examination by both counsel was declined.
Detective Constable Keisha Douglas who was the third witness merely spoke about taking the deceased for a medical examination. Cross examination again was declined.
The matter was adjourned for tomorrow (Thursday) when it is expected that more witnesses will be called.
This newspaper was told that a total of 27 witnesses are expected to be called in the matter.
Neesa Gopaul went missing on September 23, last, and a report was made at the Leonora Police Station by her mother two days later.
The girl’s body was found at the Emerald Towers Resort, on the Highway on October 2.
The teen’s disfigured body was in a large suitcase that was dumped into the Madewini Creek. Certain articles found in the suitcase, led to the two defendants being arrested and charged with murder.
A length of rope was wrapped around the body and the killer(s) had attached two dumb-bells, weighing more than 80 pounds, to the other end of the rope apparently in an effort to weigh the body down.
The victim was wearing a pair of black shorts and a multi-coloured top.
Her passport and a bank card were found with the remains.
Bibi Gopaul
The gruesome find was made by a family that had gone to the abandoned resort to swim in the Madewini Creek.
Information provided to investigators indicates that the schoolgirl was lured into a life of drugs and was sexually abused.
The Home Affairs and Human Services Ministries have both acknowledged that police, welfare officials and the victim’s relatives failed to do enough to save Neesa.
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