The prosecution yesterday said that there was compelling evidence against the accused in the murder of school girl Neesa Gopaul.
State Prosecutor Prithima Kissoon gave an oral response to the written submissions tendered by defence attorney Vic Puran, in the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murder charge against his client Bibi Sharima-Gopaul, who is charged along with Jarvis Small with the girl’s murder.
In response to Puran’s submissions, Kissoon argued that the prosecution’s evidence against the accused was compelling. Puran, who is representing Sharima-Gopaul, had challenged the evidence advanced by the prosecution in its case.
The lawyer was absent at yesterday’s hearing but sent his submissions in writing to the court. They were perused by Kissoon, who immediately responded to the submissions.
When asked by the court if she would be in a position to respond to the attorney’s submissions, Kissoon answered in the affirmative, explaining that what she had prepared in her submissions of response had in fact dealt with every point which Puran contested in the prosecutions’ case.
In addition to her oral submissions, Kissoon also laid over written submissions and authorities to the court.
The matter has been adjourned to July 23 for Puran to be given an opportunity to respond orally to the responses which the prosecution advanced yesterday in his absence.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the prosecution responded to the no-case submissions made on July 4 by Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos, who is representing Small.
It is alleged that the Sharima-Gopaul—the teen’s mother—and Small, both of 13 Public Road Leonora, West Coast Demerara, between September 24 and October 2, 2010, at Madewini, Linden-Soesdyke Highway, murdered the girl.
The teenager’s body was stuffed into a suitcase, which was discovered by a group of picnickers 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 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.
