Two of the four persons indicted for the murder of Brian Chinapen have pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, while their co-accused were acquitted.
The guilty plea by Hardat Singh, called ‘Vicky’ and Kapaldeo Singh, called ‘Rohan,’ was accepted by State Counsel Dionne McCammon on advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions. The duo is to be sentenced on March 30, following a probation report to the court.
Following the plea, Justice Franklyn Holder directed the 12-member jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty in favour of Roopdai Sukhram, called ‘Shanta’ and Rajendra Lall called ‘Rajin,’ thereby acquitting the duo.
The main witness Shameer Osman, of Chesney Village, Corentyne, Berbice had testified of seeing the convicted persons on August 8, 2007, beating Chinapen, 41, with sticks. They then placed him on Osman’s front stairway.
Chinapen was subsequently taken to the Port Mourant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
