Latest update November 7th, 2026 10:20 AM
Feb 23, 2023 Court Stories, Features / Columnists, News
– Woman walks free after new trial for murder of uncle
Kaieteur News – Forty-three-year-old Vishawantie Ragnauth, who was on trial for the 2014 murder of her uncle Sunil Ramsundar was on Wednesday freed of the indictment.
Ragnauth along with her reputed husband, Nyron Thakurdyal was initially jointly charged with the capital offence of murder. In 2018, the couple was found guilty of the murder of 39-year-old miner Ramsundar, which occurred on December 26, 2014, at Skull City, Patentia, West Bank Demerara. They were both sentenced to serve 40 years for the crime.
However, the woman appealed the sentence and the Court of Appeal in December 2022 set aside the conviction and ordered a retrial. Thakurdyal died in prison, while Ragnauth faced a new trial before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Demerara High Court.
On Wednesday, after one hour of deliberating, the jury returned with a unanimous not guilty verdict. Ragnauth was represented by attorney-at-law George Thomas and the State was represented by Tanesha Saigon, Marisa Edwards, Abiola Lowe, and Delon Fraser.
The State’s case was that Ramsundar was killed after he attempted to settle a dispute between his sister, Ragnauth (his niece), and Thakurdyal. It was reported that about 22:00 hours on Boxing Day 2014, Ramsundar was allegedly stabbed and killed by his niece and her spouse, after he attempted to settle a disagreement.
On the day, Ragnauth assaulted her mother, who is Ramsundar’s sister. Upon seeing his sister crying, the now dead man had approached her to inquire of the problem. After an explanation was given to him, Ramsundar then confronted his niece and an argument ensued between them. Things escalated, and Ragnauth’s spouse and Ramsundar became involved in a scuffle, during which Ramsundar was allegedly stabbed about the body by his niece and the man. The injured man collapsed and was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Importantly, during the trial, Ragnauth in her defence stated that she was unsure who stabbed her uncle during the scuffle.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Nov 07, 2026
(Kaieteur News) – The field will be a packed one on Sunday November 29, at Rising Sun Turf Club when the President’s Cup horse race meet shoots off. More than 100 horses have thrown their names...Nov 07, 2026
(Kaieteur News) – Who says the government does not listen? That is an unfair accusation. The government does listen. In fact, it listens very attentively. The only problem is that it appears to have a rather selective hearing. It can hear a whisper from certain quarters of the private sector...Nov 01, 2026
By Sir Ronald Sanders (Kaieteur News) – When Commonwealth leaders gather in Antigua and Barbuda from 1st to 4th November, they should address a question that reaches beyond their association: how can countries of different size, wealth and outlook sustain cooperation in a world increasingly...Nov 07, 2026
(Kaieteur News) – U.S. Vice President, J.D. Vance is among the first bailing from a sinking ship. The Iran War led to the ashes of defeat in the midterms. President Trump suddenly sheds his crazy man persona. Now talks of working with Democrats. From America I wing to Guyana, and Vice...Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: glennlall2000@gmail.com / kaieteurnews@yahoo.com