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Duo freed of 2012 Whim businessman’s robbery/murder
Elton Haynes
It was an emotional day at the Berbice High Court after the two men accused of murdering Whim businessman Winston Ragnauth were found not guilty by a mixed jury.
Carlton Akeem Bourne, 23, of Whim Village, C/tyne, Berbice and Elton Haynes, 28, an ex-cop of Manchester Village, C/tyne, Berbice, were on trial for the murder of Whim Village businessman Winston Ragnauth, between the 6th and 7th November, 2012, during the course of a robbery.
As the forewoman of the jury revealed the decision that was unanimous, the judge after hearing this told the men “you are free to go”. The faces of the relatives sitting in the courtroom lit up and in a matter of seconds they ran to both men as they walked free from the prisoners’ dock. The shackles were removed and tears trickled down their faces as their relatives were heard saying “is long now, is about time”. They embraced both men, who walked towards their freedom after spending five years behind bars.
Carlton Bourne
Haynes, outside the courtroom expressed relief that he had been freed and said that he stood firm that he was not guilty of the crime.
Bourne said, “I feel good, I feel great”.”I know that I was innocent of the charge and just glad I get to go home and take care of my five-year-old daughter.”
Meanwhile, Zina Ragnauth, the wife of the murdered businessman, related that she was shocked at the outcome of the case, but opined “let them go, God will give justice one day”.
The prosecution was led by Attorney-at- law Tuanna Hardy with state-appointed lawyer Arud Gossai representing Carlton Bourne and Attorney Sasha Roberts from the Legal Aid Clinic representing Elton Haynes. They stood before Judge Sandil Kissoon.
The state’s case detailed that Haynes and Bourne in November 2012, planned to break and enter a premises and rob Ragnauth. The meeting between the two was said to have taken place at Judy’s Shop in Liverpool Village, Corentyne, Berbice. The court heard the allegation that they were both participants in the joint criminal enterprise with intent to commit a serious crime.
It was alleged that Haynes, who brandished a dangerous weapon, ventured to the property of the businessman in the company of Bourne with intent to rob, and it was during the course of executing the robbery that Ragnauth was killed while defending himself.
After the robbery/murder, Haynes was arrested on November 9th, 2012 at Manchester Village while Bourne was said to have gone into hiding, he was subsequently held in Agricola, for another matter not related to the murder, in 2013.
Both men after being arrested had given confession statements, those statements were thereafter accepted into evidence at the conclusion of a voir dire. The judge had ruled that they were given freely and voluntarily. It was however claimed by Haynes that the story told in the statement was not his and that there was an old grievance between himself and the detective. He had also stated that if he wanted to give a statement he would have written it himself. He said the statement is a fabrication, and that he did not rob and kill Ragnauth. Bourne also said that he lived in Georgetown and did not know Haynes.
Some 8-10 witnesses gave testimonies in the trial including Detective Thomas, Detective Ragnauth and Detective Grant, among others.
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