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Legal team of Bisram, co-accused want investigations reopened
The local legal team of US-based Guyanese businessman, Marcus Bisram, has asked the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to reopen investigations.
Facing extradition: Marcus Bisram
This is the latest twist in a case that is two years old and spans two countries – Guyana and the United States.
Bisram is in a US jail fighting extradition. He is nearing exhaustion of legal appeals. He was ordered extradited months ago to face a murder charge here, but filed habeas corpus proceedings which were rejected by the New York court a few weeks ago.
Bisram and five men from East Berbice – Orlando Dickie, Radesh Motie, Diodath Datt, Harri Paul Parsram and Niran Yacoob – are accused of murdering Faiyaz Narinedatt, a carpenter.
In November 2016, Narinedatt was allegedly ordered beaten and dumped after he allegedly rejected sexual advances by Bisram. He was reportedly placed in a car trunk, dumped on the Corentyne Public Road and run over to make it look like a hit-and-run.
His family insisted that a cover-up was involved and investigations led to the charges.
Bisram’s mother and another woman were even charged for allegedly attempting to bribe the police.
The five co-accused
Yesterday, three lawyers – Dexter Todd, Adrian Smith and Paula Jones-Nicholson- who are representing Bisram and the five accused, said new circumstances have emerged, and that the Commissioner of Police and DPP have both been asked to reopen the probe.
In Guyana, the five men were a few weeks back committed to face a High Court trial.
The matter is coming under the spotlight, as it is not often that someone from the US is extradited to Guyana. However, Guyanese have been extradited to the US.
According to Todd, while the legal team is aware that the matter is engaging the local courts, the concerns are not addressing that at this time. He said that since he has been retained in the matter, there have been a number of complaints raised by his clients – these were communicated to both the Police Commissioner and DPP with the intention that the investigations be reopened.
Attorneys-at-law Paula Jones-Nicholson, Dexter Todd and Adrian Smith at the press conference yesterday.
The lawyer insisted that there are important issues at stake that have to do with the rights of his clients as “justice does not see a face”.
The legal team believes that once investigations restart, facts will come out to address a number of burning questions.
Todd noted that while there was intense media scrutiny, very little of the other side, from the accused men, has been told. He said that the legal team has not ruled out seeking international help to highlight the matter.
Todd said that the issues at stake are not about Bisram and five accused, but about the rights of each and every Guyanese, and the quality of investigations. He cautioned that investigations do not start when one is taken to court, but when police make an arrest or even before that.
The lawyers defended the press conference at Sharon’s Building, Charlotte Street, saying that it is not highly unusual, as the court matter is not being dealt with.
Murdered: Faiyaz Narinedatt
Todd said that the concern is where to put a stop – with recognition that investigators have a responsibility to conduct fair investigations.
The lawyer said if bringing awareness meant that a precedence is being set, so be it- if one does not act in a manner that is acceptable to internal standards, then they are going to be in trouble.
The legal team, it was disclosed, is working closely with US lawyers on the matter.
The Government of Guyana has requested Bisram, who lives in New York, to be extradited.
He was arrested in a New York beachfront property by police.
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