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Judge halts murder trial following complaints by victim’s mother and main prosecution witness
The trial of murder accused Prabhudyal Tarachand, called ’Ramesh’ 34, of High Reef, Albion, Corentyne came to a screeching halt in the Berbice High Court.
The husband and wife with their
three children in happier times.
This was following complaints made by the prosecution that a number of jurors sitting in the trial are known to the accused.
The man who is accused of strangling his wife Geeta Devi ‘Diane’ Bhisundial, 28, at their home on Sunday June 2nd 2013 was being tried before Justice Franklyn Holder and a mixed jury.
After noticing the composition of the jury panel on Tuesday, the victim’s mother Khemranie Bhisundial along with the Prosecution star witness Browan Luke called Brian complained to Prosecutor Natasha Backer who in turn informed Justice Holder on Thursday.
Following the complaint, Justice Holder conducted an immediate inquiry involving the Prosecuting attorney, defence attorneys Murselene Bacchus and Perry Gossai, Ms Bhisundial and Mr. Luke and some of the jurors. The inquiry, which was held in camera, confirmed certain revelations, following which the matter was aborted.
It was revealed that five of the jurors live in the same Albion, High Reef area, while a number of the jurors also worked with the accused at the Albion Estate. The court was also told that some jurors were discussing the matter before hand and trying to influence others.
According to Ms Bhisundial, she was very disappointed that the matter could not have been completed since she wants justice for her daughter. However, she was happy that the matter was aborted because the jurors were not truthful in their declaration and she had her suspicions since word was going around the area that the man would have been freed.
She also heard that some of the jurors were trying to influence others. This she said was confirmed in front of the judge during the inquiry.
Following the inquiry, Justice Holder told those gathered that as a result of what was revealed, he was of the impression that there could not have been an impartial verdict.
Earlier, prosecutor Natasha Backer in her opening address told the court that the couple had lived together for eight years before the incident and the union manifested three children.
On the day in question the couple got into a misunderstanding following a third party relationship, (triangular love affair).
During the misunderstanding, Tarchand killed Bhisundial and attempted to take his own life but because of medical intervention he was saved. The woman’s lifeless body was discovered on a bed.
Tarachand was rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital, before being taken to the Albion Police Station. He was subsequently taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital when he remained overnight.
Before the matter came to a halt the Prosecution had called a number of witnesses including the parents of the deceased.
The woman’s sister Shakuntala Seecharran was also called to the witness stand and gave a detailed review to the court of events before, during and after the incident.
Also taking the witness stand was Detective Constables Emanuel Rajnauth and police officer Barlow.
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