Judge admits caution statement three more witnesses testify

Jul 08, 2014 News

…as murder trial of seven-year-old continues

The trial of murder accused Fazal ‘Mongoose’ Mohamed, called ‘Boy’, 23, of No 67 Village, Corentyne Berbice for the murder of seven-year-old Saheed ‘Buddy’ Muknauth, is continuing in the Berbice High Court before Justice Rabindranauth Singh and a mixed jury. Muknauth, called “Shiam” of No. 68 Squatting Area, Corentyne, Berbice was killed on August 20, 2012.
The matter continued with Justice Singh admitting a caution statement purportedly given by the accused. This was following a voir dire which followed some objections made by Defence Attorney, Raymond Alli. Three other witnesses were also called to the stand.
In his statement the accused admitted to taking the lad to a secluded area and beating him that day. Most of the information contained in the accused’s admission statement was similar to what was narrated by State Prosecutor Renita Singh in her opening statement to the jury.
The Prosecutor had stated that the child’s mother, Anita Persaud, had earlier in the day ingested kerosene and was admitted at the Skeldon Hospital, leaving her six children ages ranging from 12years to two months at home. She had later in the afternoon taken a self-discharge to be home with the children, when she discovered Saheed missing.
It was later learnt that the child was seen around 17:30 hrs on the day in question with the accused holding his hand, crossing the road. He was reportedly the last person seen with the lad on the day he disappeared.
Muknauth’s body was discovered at the back of a rice mill in a pond in a clump of bushes some two days after. His body was lying face up. It was in an advanced state of decomposition. An on-the-spot post mortem gave the cause of death as multiple injuries.
Anita Persaud, the mother of the dead child testified that on the day in question, upon returning home, she did not see her son. Upon inquiring, she was told he was seen with the accused. She had made further inquiries including making a missing person report to the police.
The deceased’s now 14 year old sister, also testified. She said that on the day in question she saw her brother Saheed in company with Mohammed leaving. She called him back, but he refused to heed her instructions.
Also on the witness stand was neighbour Sanjay Kowlessar who testified that on the day in question he saw the deceased and accused together.
Testifying earlier was woman Detective Sergeant Joanne Johnson and Detective Corporal Dwayne Harvey who both testified to the parts they played in the investigations.
The matter is expected to continue today.

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