Trial begins for Corentyne man accused in ‘rum shop’ killing of friend

Mar 10, 2026 News

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…15 witnesses expected to testify in Berbice High Court trial

(Kaieteur News) – A 12-member jury was empaneled on Monday before Justice Deborah Kumar at the Berbice High Court for the trial of 33-year-old Andrew Seegobin, also known as ‘Deportee’, who is accused of the 2023 murder of his friend Ramanand Mingo.

Seegobin, a construction worker of John’s, Port Mourant, Corentyne, is charged with the November 19, 2023 killing of 29-year-old Mingo, also a construction worker of Clifton Village, Corentyne. The two men were said to have been close friends.

The accused was initially represented by attorney Mursaline Bacchus, who has since died. Attorney Surihya Sabsook is now representing Seegobin, while the state’s case is being led by Prosecutor Marisa Edwards.

It is alleged that Mingo received a single fatal stab wound to the chest during an altercation involving him, his brother and Seegobin at a shop located at John’s, Port Mourant. The injured man later succumbed to his injuries the same evening.

On Monday, the prosecution indicated that it intends to call 15 witnesses, including Mingo’s mother, the owners of the shop where the incident occurred, relatives and police officers.

In her opening address to the jury, Edwards said the evidence will show that a sharp instrument was used to inflict the fatal wound. She told the court that given the location of the injury, the prosecution will seek to establish that the accused intended to kill the victim.

The first witness to testify was Parbattie Rangasammy of John’s, Port Mourant, who operates a ‘Superbet’ gaming outlet and beverage shop with her two sons. Rangasammy told the court she was familiar with both Mingo and his brother as they were regular customers.

She recalled that on the evening in question she had just returned from taking her grandson to the hospital when she observed an argument between the two brothers and Seegobin. According to Rangasammy, the brothers appeared aggressive.

She said she attempted to de-escalate the situation and asked the men to leave the premises but was pushed by Mingo’s brother and fell during the confrontation.

Within minutes, she said, Mingo had sustained the stab wound to his chest. Rangasammy also told the court that although there were security cameras at the shop, they were not functioning at the time. She was unable to identify the accused in court.

The victim’s mother, Lilowtie Ramsammy of Clifton Settlement, also took the stand. She testified that around 10:30 p.m. on November 19, 2023 she received a call asking her to go to the Port Mourant Hospital.

When she arrived, she said, her son was lying on a hospital bed with his eyes open but unresponsive. Ramsammy told the court that she had last seen him earlier that day around 5:30 p.m.

She further testified that Seegobin was known to her because of his friendship with her late son and said she was unaware of any prior conflict between the two men.

Also giving evidence was Chandrapaul Rangasammy, called ‘Metalist’, who lives with his mother and brother at the shop location. He said he was also familiar with both the accused and the victim as customers.

Chandrapaul told the court that he had just returned after taking his son to the hospital when he saw the two brothers arguing with Seegobin. He said he could not hear what the argument was about but observed tensions escalating.

As his mother attempted to intervene and was pushed, Chandrapaul said he became angered and ran inside the house to retrieve a cutlass. As he returned outside, he heard Mingo complaining that he had been stabbed.

He told the court that he did not observe any weapon in the victim’s hand during the altercation. A vehicle later arrived and transported Mingo to the Port Mourant Hospital.

Another witness, Amos Rangasammy of John’s, Port Mourant, testified that Seegobin was already at the shop when the two brothers arrived shortly after. He said he also tried to ask the brothers to leave the premises as tensions rose.

Amos told the court that during the argument, Mingo’s brother began throwing bricks and bottles from outside the yard. Shortly after, he saw Mingo clutching his chest but did not see the exact moment when the stabbing occurred.

According to his testimony, Mingo’s brother attempted to take him away from the shop on an electric bike before a car later transported him to the hospital. He also told the defence that the victim did not state who had stabbed him.

After hearing evidence from several key witnesses, Justice Kumar adjourned the trial until Tuesday.

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• Andrew Seegobin, Corentyne, Deportee, killing, trial

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