The Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder charge over the death of schoolgirl Neesa Gopaul continued yesterday and Lance Corporal Jermaine Laundry took the stand to continue his testimony.
Laundry, who is stationed at the Criminal Investigations Department of the Alberttown Police Station, is the eighth witness to testify in the matter. It was adjourned to April 27 for continuation.
The girl’s mother, Bibi Sharima Gopaul and partner Jarvis Small have been charged with her murder.
The allegation is that between September 24 and October 2, 2010, at Madewini, Linden-Soesdyke Highway, the couple, of 13 Public Road Leonora, West Coast Demerara, murdered Neesa 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.
Investigators subsequently returned to the scene and discovered several dumbbells that were also used to anchor the suitcase to the bottom of the creek. The case 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.
