Latest update January 6th, 2025 4:00 AM
Lusignan cosmetologist murder… Defence suggests accused tortured
The High Court trial for which Lennox Wayne, called “Two Colours” and Melroy Doris were indicted for the July 2014 murder of Lusignan cosmetologist Ashmini Harriram, commenced on Thursday last before Justice Joann and a mixed 12 member -jury .
Last week, Police Sergeant, Collin Ross faced intense questioning regarding the murder investigations. Wayne‘s Counsel, Nigel Hughes specifically asked the witness about his client‘s physical condition during the time of investigation and taking of the statement.
The policeman said that he noticed injuries on Wayne’s arm but he made no record of it in the station diary. Officer Ross noted that he would have had to sustain the injuries before reaching the Vigilance Police Station.
However, the attorney suggested to the policeman that Wayne had been burned. Hughes suggested to the witness that the police had used methylated spirits as a combustible substance to set his client’s arm alight during the interrogation
To which Ross replied, “No sir I don’t what you’re talking about.”
Hughes further suggested to the witness that he instituted charges against Wayne after it became known that he made certain allegations against members of the Guyana Police Force in relation to another murder.
The witness also denied the suggestion. The Policeman’s testimony was followed by the evidence led by Sharon Pryce. Pryce told the court that she is the owner of the Burgundy 212 car, which Doris used as a taxi during the year 2014.
Pryce revealed to the court that the car had only been bought a few months before Doris began utilizing as a taxi.
Lennox Wayne, called “Two Colours”
She said that the accused would often keep the car with him; and would only drop her off a few times a week.
The witness told the court that it was sometime after July 10, 2104 she was asked by police to give a statement in relation to her car. It was impounded at the Police Station pending an investigation into a murder.
The next witness, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Jermaine Grant later told the court that he participated in the investigation into the murder of Ashmini Harriram.
The witness recalled Corporal Ross had put the allegation of murder to Doris, the number two accused.
“The allegation was put to him that on July 10, 2014 at Lusignan Railway Embankment, he murdered Ashmini Harriram,” the policeman recalled.
He said that Doris was cautioned after which he replied “Officer is nah me, was the boy name Two Colours.”
The officer said that it was afterward that the Caution Statement, (CS) was taken from the accused. Grant said that during the taking of the Caution Statement no force, inducement or threat was used against the accused; it was freely and voluntarily given.
Officer Grant is among eight witnesses to testify in the trial to be called by State Prosecutors, Shawnette Austin, Mandel Moore and Tamieka Clarke. A Voir Dire has since commenced into the matter, which is scheduled to continue on Monday.
On July 10, 2014 Ashmini Harriram was shot once to her neck moments after she disembarked a minibus along the Lusignan Railway Embankment.
On the day of the incident, the shooter reportedly exited a burgundy-coloured motor car, whipped out a gun and shot the teen then took away her mobile phone and left the scene.
The two suspects were arrested and charged two months later for the crime. Doris was identified as the taxi driver implicated in the shooting.
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