The trial of the four accused of the murder of US-based Guyanese Motilall Singh continued yesterday before Justice Navindra Singh in the High Court.
The state’s case is being led by Senior State Counsel Judith Gildharie-Mursalin who presented police witness Jomo Williams to give his evidence. Williams testified that on September 7, 2009 he took photographs of the crime scene, including the motionless body of Singh.
Bibi Farida Khan, called ‘Pum,’ Shamiza Khan, called ‘Sham,’ Hoosman Khan, called ‘Strong Man,’ Bisoondial Mahadeo, called ‘Weed Man,’ all of Windsor Forest, are on trial for the murder of Singh, which occurred on September 7, 2009 at Windsor Forest. The bloodied body of Singh was found close to a tiny bridge at Second Street, Windsor Forest. A post-mortem examination revealed that he had been stabbed 21 times.
A fifth person, Ayube Hamid, called ‘Little,’ was also charged with the murder but he died while in prison.
Williams also testified that he returned to the crime scene on September 8, accompanied by Constable Keith Branford and Mahadeo and on arrival, he observed the accused going into a trench that is about 3ft away from where the deceased’s body was lying. According to him, the accused reached into the trench and pulled out a stainless steel blade.
Under cross-examination, Williams was asked by Hanoman why he didn’t take a photograph of the accused retrieving the blade from the trench, and he stated that he didn’t think it was important.
Attorney Glenn Hanoman who is appearing for Mahadeo and Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos appearing for the other three accused objected to the photographs being tendered as evidence in the trial.
Justice Singh overruled the objections and the photographs were tendered and marked as exhibits E1-E18. The photographs were also passed on to each juror for them to see.
In December, the caution statements of the four accused were admitted into evidence by Justice Singh. The statement of the number one accused was read to the court by Police Sargeant Narine Lall.
The case continues today.
