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2 freed, 3 convicted in Berbice murder trial
(Kaieteur News) – Two West Coast Berbice men who were accused of murder were this week acquitted of the offence at the Demerara High Court and walked out of the courtroom free men after spending approximately five years on remand.
James David, 23, of No. 10 Village, West Coast Berbice, and Leeward Chung, 25, of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, were found not guilty by a 12-member jury earlier in the murder of 61-year-old Bheim Evans.
Acquitted: James David
Acquitted: Leeward Chung
Three other co-accused were, however, found guilty of murder by the same jury.
Convicted were Brian Evans, 26, of No. 11 Village, West Coast Berbice; Ryan Dhanraj, 31, of Block D, Waterloo, Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice; and Samuel Vanbrook, called “Chucky,” 26, of Waterloo, Bath Settlement.
The trial of the five men commenced on 19th August, 2026, after they were jointly charged with murder under common law in connection with the death of Evans.
Evans, of Woodley Park, West Coast Berbice, was allegedly murdered in November 2021 by the five men.
Convicted: Samuel Vanbrook
Convicted: Brian Evans
Convicted: Ryan Dhanraj
Reports indicated that Evans was attempting to rescue his 25-year-old son, Tichan Persaud, from an assault by the men, who had approached Persaud seeking information about his father’s whereabouts and accused him of stealing jewellery.
When Persaud denied knowledge of the accusation against his father, the men allegedly beat him until Evans arrived moments later and attempted to intervene. The men then reportedly turned on Evans, beating him with several objects, including a chain, and inflicting chop wounds until he lost consciousness.
Persaud later stated that his father’s genitals were pepper-sprayed before he was dragged in a rice bag and dumped near a trench. Evans was rushed to the Fort Wellington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Justice Sandil Kissoon presided over the matter, while State Counsel Tiffany Lyken and Rabina Christmas presented the prosecution’s case.
Brian Evans was represented by attorney Stacy Goodings. Ryan Dhanraj and Samuel Vanbrook were jointly represented by Kevin Morgan, in association with Kasha Fraser, Towana Charles, Zola Williams and Nickesha Daniels.
Attorney Sasha Roberts represented the acquitted James David and Leeward Chung.
The court heard multiple testimonies, including evidence from several police officers concerning the men’s arrests and their subsequent appearances before the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court on 18th November, 2021.
With the verdicts delivered, the three convicted men now await sentencing, which Justice Kissoon scheduled for 16th September, 2026.
Court files also disclosed that the deceased was himself a former murder accused, having been charged in 2013 with murdering a man, in a case in which he claimed self-defence.
In 2018, Evans was charged with attempting to murder his nephew and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to the lesser offence of wounding with intent.
He had also faced multiple charges related to attempted murder and served multiple sentences.
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