‘Picture Boy’ murder trial…Wife of murdered businessman testifies

Oct 15, 2014 News

The wife of murdered Non Pareil businessman Chandrapaul Persaud called ‘Kero Man’, yesterday recounted to the

The Accused: Cyon Collier called Picture Boy

court the series of events which led to her husband’s death.
Persaud operated a wholesale/retail outlet from his home at Non Pareil selling household, haberdashery and other items including gas and kerosene, hence his alias.
He was shot and killed outside his residence by one of three masked bandits during a robbery on September 12, 2006. The gunmen, who entered the businessman’s premises, are said to have robbed his family of cash and jewellery before driving off with his motorcar.
Cyon Collier, called ‘Picture Boy’ was later identified as one of the three. He was charged for the murder. Collier is facing a second trial into the matter before Justice Dawn Gregory and a mixed jury at the High Court. His last trial ended in a deadlock when the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict.
Yesterday, the businessman’s wife Bibi Nazeema Issack recalled the trauma which her family endured during the night of the incident. She was called to the stand by State Prosecutors, Natasha Backer and Mercedes Thompson.
The woman was said to be at home with her two daughters when armed bandits struck. She recalled her husband had shouted “thief thief!” before the bandits entered her home.
Issack said that she heard the sound of gunshots and bottles breaking, before the men entered her home. She said that she begged the thieves not to harm anyone.
Issack told the court that the men demanded cash and jewellery. She recalled that she took one of the men to the bedroom, where she handed over the items.
Under cross examination by Defence Attorney Lyndon Amsterdam, the woman told the court that although the men only spent approximately five minutes in her home, she can never forget who robbed her.
“He is the man that came into my house and robbed me,” the woman said pointing to the accused.
The woman later admitted that this is not the first time that her home was robbed. She admitted to telling the Magistrate of another incident where her home was robbed.
Issack, nevertheless held that she is always truthful to the court. She maintained that she knows who had robbed on the night her husband was killed.
On Tuesday, state witness, Lilowattie Dhanraj, told the court yesterday that she witnessed the crime from a window of her house, which is situated next door to the businessman. She said that she heard someone yell “thief thief!” before she saw one of the men pointing a gun at her neighbour.
The woman recalled that she was standing in the upper flat of her house, peering through a window. She said that she then heard “bang”, three times.
The witness said that there were two other men. She said that the men subsequently left in the motorcar which was owned by her neighbour. The woman said that she ran out on the road where she saw the injured man lying on the ground.

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