Ex-Coast Guard ranks trial…Colleague’s statement puts Hart as “mastermind”

Jun 14, 2013 News

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By Latoya Giles
A caution statement which ex-Coast Guard rank Deon Greenidge gave to the police, where he said that it was Sherwin Hart who pushed Dweive Kant Ramdass overboard, and gave him along with Devon Gordon several millions of dollars to “shut up”, was read to the members of the jury yesterday.
Greenidge, Hart and Gordon are jointly charged with the 2009 murder of Bartica gold miner Dweive Kant Ramdass. The aforementioned statement was read in court by police witness Sergeant Suraj Singh. Singh told the court yesterday that at the time of the murder he was stationed at the Criminal Investigation Department, Eve Leary. The witness explained that he helped with the investigation of the matter.
The witness told the court that his superior Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Trevor Reid, received certain information and they travelled to La Grange Police Station, at about 20:45 hrs, on August 20, 2009. Singh said that while at the station, he received further information from ASP Reid. He said that as a result of that information he interviewed Shawn Ageday, the brother of Sherwin Hart.
Singh said that later that night, he, along with ASP Reid and Corporal Rodwell Saraboo, left La Grange station and went to the Leonora station. While there, Singh said he noticed ASP Reid speaking to Deputy Superintendent of Police Terrance Paul. The witness said that Reid told him something, which was not revealed to the court. Afterwards Singh said that he along with Reid among others left the Leonora Police Station with the number three accused Deon Greenidge. The court heard from the witness that it was Greenidge who led the officers to Lot 166 La Penitence, Georgetown.
Once arriving at the house, Singh said that in the presence of the officers and Greenidge, ASP Reid spoke to one Yvonne Beckles, Greenidge’s mother. According to Singh, it was ASP Reid who told the mother that he had information that she received some 5.5 million dollars from her son while being at Parika, on August 20, 2009. Singh said that the woman was told the money was stolen from Ramdass.
The court further heard how the woman went inside of her home and brought out a brown “sugar bag”. Singh said he observed that the bag was somewhat bulky and wire had been placed at the top of the bag so as to keep it closed. He said that the bag was opened and there was a black jersey at the top. The witness stated that the jersey was removed and there it was discovered that the bag contained a quantity of thousand dollar bills, Guyana currency.
Singh said that ASP Reid told the woman something and arrested her and took possession of the bag. They later returned to the CID with Greenidge and his mother.
He said that it was about 01:30hrs, at CID, that Reid again told him something and he moved over to a desk. After sitting, Singh said he invited Greenidge who was on the prisoner’s bench to come over to his desk. He said that he told Greenidge that they had information that on August 20, at Caiman Hole, he along with Hart and Gordon killed Ramdass.
Singh said that Greenidge was cautioned that he did not have to say anything, but if he wished it could be written into evidence. Singh said that at that point it was Greenidge who said “officer ah gun tell yuh everything” and opted to make a statement.
In the presence of Sergeant Singh and Corporal Saraboo, Greenidge gave the statement. In the statement which was read to the jury, Greenidge said that on the day in question, he was stationed at Fort Island. It was stated that it was LR Hart who came with Gordon, to meet him at the base.
Greenidge in his statement said that he was told by Hart that they were “going and patrol”, so I should “suit up”.  Greenidge said he uplifted a M70 rifle with 90 rounds of ammunition. Greenidge said that they joined their Coast Guard RC 12 boat which had a 200HP outboard engine, and it was LR  Hart who was the driver and in charge.
Whilst going to Parika, Greenidge said they began to stop boats that were heading in the direction of Bartica and conducted searches. He said everything was good with the first boat they stopped. After that search, Greenidge said they saw another boat with two passengers who were not wearing life jackets. In the statement, Greenidge said that they ordered the boat back and Hart told him and Gordon to search and they complied.
During this time, the LR Hart was talking to the captain. Hart subsequently went and started talking to an East Indian man. Greenidge in his statement said that “the man was medium built and about five feet- five inches in height, fair in complexion, and about 160 pounds.  The man had a low haircut… I average his age about 25 to 30 years. This man had a round face with mustache; he was also wearing a shades.”
Greenidge noted that the man had a carton box sealed with tape and a haversack in his possession.
The witness continued to read the statement which said that after they were finish searching, Hart told him and Gordon to let them give the man a drop to Bonasika, which is in the Essequibo River.
Greenidge said that other passengers saw when the man went to the Coast Guard boat. Hart drove off the boat and headed up the Essequibo River. The jury heard that when the trio passed Fort Island, Hart stopped the boat.
Greenidge said that he was instructed to search the box by Hart to see if it had any money.
“I whipped open the box and saw money.”
The jury further heard that Greenidge told Hart that the box had money. Greenidge’s statements noted that he heard Ramdass ask what the search was for, and about two to three seconds later, he heard Hart push the man overboard. “I didn’t look to see if the man was swimming or not and LR Hart drove the boat to Fort Island.”
While at Fort Island, Greenidge said that he was told by Hart to take out the box and carry it to the barrack room and he complied. In the room there were no other ranks and Hart then parted the money in three shares, equally.
“I get about 11 parcels. I didn’t get to count the money it was all in 1000 bills. I packed the money and cover it with a jersey, and I took wire to secure it since the zip spoil. I called my mother from Fort Island and told her to come and collect the bag. I didn’t tell her what was in the bag.”
The witness went on to read the statement telling the jury that Greenidge,  Hart and Gordon went back to Parika, where he reached his mother and gave her the money. He instructed his mother to “keep it and don’t open it, only give me. The police arrest me and I took them at the house, the bag was still secure.”
Greenidge said he told ranks that he “didn’t go to do it” but it was Hart who was giving the instructions. The LR Hart told me that if anyone asked about Ramdass I should tell them that he left in another boat at Bonasika. Greenidge in his statement said that Hart told them, that it was a secret and the money was for them to shut their mouths.
Under cross examination by attorney at law Latchmie Rahamat, the suggestion was put to Singh that he might be deliberately removing himself from certain aspects of the investigation. The suggestion was strongly denied by the witness. Rahamat sought to question Singh about allegations of beatings, something the witness said he knew nothing about.
Yesterday also Superintendent of Police Terrance Paul also gave evidence. Paul’s evidence was mainly about him witnessing when former officer Dereck Foo took a statement from Hart. Paul maintained that the statement was given freely and without any inducement. The witness was ordered to bring a station charge sheet, which the defence counsel requested.

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