Grove miner charged with murder of girlfriend, 18

Mar 08, 2016 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

The 22-year-old porkknocker accused of fatally stabbing his young girlfriend 41 times about her body, was

Murder Accused: Shivnanand Roopnarine

yesterday remanded to prison on a murder charge, when he appeared in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.
After being on the run for almost one year, Shivnanand Roopnarine of 478 Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, was captured last Friday by police in Mabura.
Reports of the young man altering his physical appearance proved true. He looked completely different at yesterday’s court hearing, sporting a low hair cut, compared to photos that were posted of him in the media with braided hair.
Roopnarine, who had no legal representation, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which read that on April 19, 2015 at Sophia, he killed 18-year-old Alicia McPherson of Lot 612 ‘C’ Field Sophia.
He was remanded to prison until April 28 by Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul.
Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Jupiter told the court that the accused had been evading police. She said that on the day in question, McPherson was at a barbecue in Sophia. She said that the young woman left the event in the company of another male, although she was forewarned by Roopnarine not to do so.
Prosecutor Jupiter stated that an argument ensued between the two. She added that McPherson was stabbed repeatedly. She also indicated that police investigations are still ongoing.
According to reports, McPherson was allegedly stabbed 41 times by the accused, who she had been dating for almost two years. She was found near a washroom in a yard located at Crappy’s Place, Sophia, where the dance was being held.
McPherson succumbed while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital. It was reported that she had been a constant victim of physical abuse at the hands of her boyfriend.
At the time of Roopnarine’s arrest, he was reportedly heading to Mahdia when he was stopped at a checkpoint at Mabura and asked to produce his identification. It was reported that at this point a policeman recognized the fugitive and took him into custody.
It was reported that he denied that he was Roopnarine, but eventually confirmed his identity.