Tain Corentyne murder accused guilty, gets 20 years each

Apr 17, 2014 News

The two accused in the Tain Corentyne murder trial have been found guilty of murder and sentenced to 20 years in jail, each.
The two accused, Joshua Persaud, called ‘Sunny Boy’ and ‘Bun Boy’, 25, of Bloomfield, and Raphael Rene Morrison, called “Red Head”, 24, of Auchlyne Estate, Corentyne, Berbice were on trial for the murder of Marlon Andrew Ramcharan on June 3, 2013. The killing occurred along a street in Block C Tain, New Housing area.
The men were on trial before Justice Diana Insanally and a mixed jury in the Berbice High Court.
Justice Diana Insanally had taken all morning to sum up the evidence to the mixed jury. She had told them if they agree with anything that both the prosecution and the defence said in both their addresses, then they may use them in their deliberations.
The jury then deliberated for over two hours before returning to the court for further directions. They wanted further direction about the two star witnesses and the question of identity at the scene of the crime.
After giving further directions, the Jury again retired and returned within 10 minutes with their unanimous verdict of guilty of murder on both occasions.
Attorney at Law Mursalene Bacchus, in his plea of mitigation addressed the issue of Persaud’s age and address. He said that the man is a mason by profession who was never convicted before of any offence. He stated that there is still room in Persaud’s life to make a positive contribution to society.
Bacchus in his plea for Morrison also mentioned his client’s age and address, and noted that he is not married with any kids. He was never convicted. He added that Morrison also has room to make a meaningful contribution to society.
On Tuesday both the defence led by Attorney at Law Mursalene Bacchus and the Prosecution which is being conducted by Attorney at Law Renita Singh; presented their closing arguments. This was after Justice Insanally had overruled the defence no case submissions and called on them to lead a defence.
Earlier both accused Joshua Persaud and Raphael Morrison had made unsworn statements from the dock citing their innocence.
During the trial, both star witnesses (eye witnesses) Nicolas Beharry and Rakesh Jaikarran had given their evidence in chief. The prosecution had also called Dr. Nehaul Singh who performed the Post Mortem examination which had revealed that the cause of death was due to shock and hemorrhage resulting from multiple incised wounds.
During the trial the Prosecution called a number of witnesses, including Detective Assistant Superintendent of Police Gary Mc Alister who testified to visiting the scene and taking a statement from Morrison; Detective Constables Emmanuel Rajnauth and Andel Doris who testified to the parts they played during the investigations.
Police Constable Nkofi Austin arrested Joshua Persaud at Black Bush Polder. Two other witnesses also took the stand including the father of the deceased, Surendra Ramcharan, who identified the body and Molchan Raghubir who testified that on the night in question, Persaud went by his house with Morrison and demanded a cutlass from him which he subsequently gave to him.
The court had also visited the scene of the crime at Tain on the request of the defence. Magistrate Fabio Azore and Detective Corporal Primus Sam were also called to testify.
Justice Insanally said that the Human Rights aspect stated that when youths are involved in crime they are not to be punished for their entire life. She then sentenced them both to 20 years in jail.
The accused showed no emotion when the verdict was passed. However, the family of the deceased was emotional.

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Tain Corentyne murder accused guilty, gets 20 years each

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