The continuation of the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murder of schoolgirl Neesa Gopaul was halted yesterday because of the absence from court of one of the accused, Bibi Sharima Gopaul.
Acting Chief Magi-strate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, who is presiding over the matter, informed the court that the PI could not go on in the absence of either of the two accused; only Jarvis Small was present.
The magistrate indicated to the court that prison officials had not yet transported Gopaul when the matter was called yesterday morning.
Meanwhile, Attorney-at-law Bernard De Santos who is representing Gopaul told reporters that the matter had originally been set for continuation at 1 pm and that was probably the reason for his client’s absence.
The magistrate had, however, indicated to the court that her duties would have taken her elsewhere and as such she would have been unable to conduct the hearing in the afternoon.
An adjournment to February 17, was subsequently granted.
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.
According to reports, 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.
