Babita Sarjou murder PI…Testimony of Brazilian doctor delayed for defence to have own translator

May 12, 2017 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News

…English version of qualifications

Renato Teodoro Ferreira Paranaibo, a Brazilian doctor, was yesterday prepared to give his evidence via Skype video call in the preliminary inquiry into the murder of Babita Sarjou.
In fact the doctor was seen on a projected screen seated in an office waiting on the go-ahead to begin testifying. But this never happened, after several issues were raised by Attorney-at-Law Ronald Trotman. Another lawyer, Hubert Rodney was also present at the bar table
Shardanand Naraine, the ex- husband of Sarjou, and Darrel Ponton are currently on remand for the murder. The prosecution comprising Police Inspectors Mangru and Mansfield called a Brazilian Federal Police Officer to interpret from Portuguese – the doctor’s native language – to English. The prosecution also had another interpreter on standby.
Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan conducted a Voir Dire to deem whether the Federal Police Officer was competent to carry out the task. During the Voir Dire the interpreter was subjected to a lengthy cross examination by Attorney Trotman.
At the conclusion of the Voir Dire, the Chief Magistrate ruled that the witness was capable of translating from Portuguese to English and vice versa.
However, Attorney Trotman requested for the defence to have its own interpreter to ensure what the court’s interpreter (the Brazilian Federal Police) is translating, is an accurate reflection of what the doctor is speaking. Attorney Trotman also requested to have certified translated copies of the doctor’s qualification.
The defence asked that they be served with the English version of the doctor’s certificates, since those handed over to them by the prosecution were in Portuguese.
These requests were granted by the Chief Magistrate who subsequently adjourned the preliminary inquiry until June 12. Attorney Trotman also informed the court that he will also be investigating the reason – apart from translating – why the Brazilian Federal Police Officer is in Guyana.
Sarjou went missing on November 4, 2010 after she left her Timehri, East Bank Demerara home to attend a Diwali motorcade, allegedly with Naraine who has called her.
He reportedly picked her up in his car and while she was sitting in the front passenger seat she was allegedly strangled by Ponton who was reportedly seated at the back of the car.
Sarjou’s lifeless body was allegedly transported to Naraine’s house where it was buried.
Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum and a team of detectives were able to crack the case on May 22, 2016, after they spent over five hours digging up a site at Naraine’s home, where they found her skeletal remains. Reports had indicated that Naraine had dug the grave two days before Sarjou was killed.