Another witness yesterday took to the stand as the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murder of sixteen-year-old Neesa Gopaul continued.
Terrence Paul, Detective Assistant Superintendant of Police attached to the Criminal Investigations Department of the Leonora Police Station, testified yesterday. Paul, who is the divisional crime officer, appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Neesa’s mother, Bibi Sharima Gopaul and her (Bibi’s) lover Jarvis Small were charged with the teen’s murder. They were further remanded and will return to court today for the continuation of the PI.
The allegation is that between September 24 and October 2 at Madewini, Linden-Soesdyke Highway, Bibi Sharima Gopaul and Small, both of 13 Public Road Leonora, West Coast Demerara, murdered Neesa Lalita Gopaul.
The teenager’s body was stuffed into a suitcase, which was discovered by a group of picnickers on October 2 anchored in the creek at the Emerald Tower Resort. Her head was bashed in so that her remains appeared headless.
A woman who made the discovery said that a large piece of metal was removed from the creek by the police the following day.
Investigators subsequently returned to the scene and discovered several dumbbells which were also used to anchor the suitcase to the bottom of the creek.
The case has evoked widespread public outrage and condemnation of those who failed to assist the teenager during a difficult period of abuse in varying forms prior to her death.
