Timehri Backlands murder…Emotions rise as PI into female cab driver’s killing gets underway

Jun 03, 2014 News

…husband, 9-year-old son called to take the stand

As the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the death of a female taxi driver who was earlier this year found dead in a clump of bushes, one mile from Jubilee Fun Park and Resort, Timehri, East Bank Demerara, commenced at the city court yesterday, the emotional widower and the couple’s nine-year-old son were amongst those called to offer sworn testimonies on behalf of the State.

Murder Accused: Sylvester Bristol

Sylvester Bristol, also known as “Rambo” is currently charged with murdering taxi driver Savitri “Maya” Palmer, some time between February 15 and February 16, last, at Dakara Creek on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.
Palmer, a mother of two, who resided at Loncke’s Avenue, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara was reportedly raped and strangled with a bootlace several hours before her body was discovered in the wee hours of the morning of February 16.
She was said to have been murdered by the accused who she offered a lift to Loom Pit after picking him up at his work place on the night of February 15.
While Palmer’s body was reportedly found face down with her head “pressed to the earth,” her nine-year-old son was found sleeping in the rear seat of her abandoned taxi hours later by her husband who decided to search for his “missing wife.”
Investigators who probed the case were led to the accused who was reportedly found hiding in a wardrobe at his living quarters at Bashir Sandpit, Soesdyke/Linden Highway.
The case is being heard by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and prosecuted by Corporal Bharat Mangru who is attached to the chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Bristol has since sought the legal representation of attorney at law Charles Ramson Jr.
At yesterday’s hearing, the widower Kamal Palmer was the first to take the stand and offer a testimony about the frantic search conducted for his missing wife.
Next to give evidence in the matter was the woman’s son; a student of the St. Mary’s Primary School.
His testimony was followed by that of Kissoon Palmer, the father-in-law of the deceased. He explained to the court the part

Dead: Savitri Palmer

he played at the Post Mortem (PM) of his daughter-in-law’s body.
The final witness to testify was the woman’s sister, Sharon Gangadeen. She revealed the part she played in the investigation as well as at the Post Mortem.
It was during the only cross examination that the accused, who had sat nervously in the prisoner’s docks moments before the commencement, cracked. Bristol became unnerved and hurled accusations at the widower during cross examination.
By request of Corporal Bharat Mangru, Palmer’s sister will return to court to continue with her testimony.
The PI is scheduled to continue today in the said courtroom and a total of five are slated to be called to take the stand.