Shocking twist in Berbice businessman murder PI…Hotel owner arrested for offering cop $400,000 bribe to suppress evidence

Aug 21, 2016 News

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In a shocking twist in an already controversial case, a relative of one of the three accused in the murder of businessman Shameer Ali Mursalin is in custody for trying to bribe a police rank to suppress evidence.

The detained relative, who is a hotel owner, was taken into custody yesterday when he turned up at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary, to hand over $100,000, of a $400,000 sum, to a member of the Major Crimes Unit as an initial payment.
Confirming the arrest, Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine told Kaieteur News that “we have someone in custody who is assisting us in the investigation into that matter.”
Police reportedly have video and audio evidence of the hotel owner offering the bribe and handing over the money.
Kaieteur News understands that police ranks are scheduled to testify in the Preliminary Inquiry tomorrow, and attempts were reportedly being made to stop them from doing so.
According to reports, the relative of one of the three accused visited CID Headquarters a few days ago. He then made the $400,000 offer to a detective from the Major Crimes Unit, which is being lauded for cracking several difficult murder cases.
The businessman indicated that he would give the detective an initial $100,000 and pay the $300,000 on Monday (tomorrow).
After appearing to agree to the offer, the detective notified his superiors and a trap was arranged. The relative was then taken into custody yesterday when he turned up with the cash.
The development came just two days after relatives of murdered businessman, Shameer Ali Mursalin had raised concerns about the actions of the Magistrate who is presiding over the Preliminary Inquiry into the case.
Mursalin, called ‘Kazac,’ a trader, of Grant 1805 Weld Tank Dam, Crabwood Creek, Berbice Corentyne, in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), was fatally shot to the head following a longstanding dispute with a fellow businessman, on October 24, 2015.
According to reports, police were investigating a report of threatening language and damage to property at Mursalin’s house. After calling out for him for some time without any response, the police officers ventured into the yard and found the victim’s body lying in a pool of blood at the residence.
Berbice businessman Dennis Veerasammy and two of his employees, Basheer Harrinauth and Delroy Fraser, were later arrested and charged with the murder.
The three men are facing a Preliminary trial before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court in Berbice.
However, relatives of the dead businessman believe that there is a deliberate ploy, by parties involved, to sabotage the case.
According to the relatives, the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the matter had been postponed on several occasions, despite the availability of several witnesses.
In addition to questionable adjournments, the Mursalin family said that at the last hearing, the Magistrate did something that is even more baffling; he adjourned the matter without re-reading the evidence and allowing the main witness of the trial to review and sign his deposition.
“I am really concerned. First, he write down the evidence on four pieces of paper that look like scrap and then he ain’t give the man it to sign. All he (the magistrate) said is that he adjourn the matter because he hungry,” a female relative explained.
“He ain’t care. He just come off the chair just so in front the police and the other court staff. I ain’t really know that that could happen. I never see any Magistrate adjourn a case without allowing the witness to see or sign what dem said (the deposition)…And this is the man that actually witnessed the shooting,” she added.
She stressed that the matter has suffered the several postponements without any proper explanation. “The prosecutor would come to court and call the witnesses but the matter would get put down just so, “the woman claimed.
All we need is justice for our family. The family is hoping the relevant authorities will take notice and intervene on their behalf.
Kaieteur News has since obtained information to verify the claims of the dead man’s relatives.
A senior court official told Kaieteur News this is not the first time that the Magistrate has not allowed witnesses to sign their depositions.
“He (Magistrate) gone again wid this thing. If the witness doesn’t sign and something happens to him/her; the deposition has no value.”
“It is the proper legal procedure for witnesses to certify their testimonies. A breach of this procedure can definitely have a negative impact on the case.”
In addition, a number of legal practitioners and retired judicial officers said that the Magistrate’s actions are indeed questionable and should be brought to the attention of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
The JSC, headed by Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh, is responsible for appointment of Judges and Magistrates. The Chancellor could not be reached for a comment on this matter.
In his most recent comment on the conduct of judicial officers, Justice Singh had noted that allowing Magistrates who conduct themselves inappropriately to remain on the bench will be a serious indictment on the part of the judicial administration. He added that this act would mean that the judiciary has abandoned the people and public’s interest.
“We have a responsibility to produce an environment which is conducive for hard work. Magistrates in Guyana are servants of the people. It is important that Magistrates and Judges give of their best, so when we find that Magistrates are involved in grave wrongdoing, then we will have to protect the public’s interest,” the Chancellor said.

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