The Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder charge against Richard Stanton, the man accused of killing businesswoman Patricia Sanasie, began yesterday with the testimonies of two investigators in the case.
Corporal Kester Cosbert and Detective Samuel Headley both testified at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, where they were examined by Police Prosecutor David Goodridge and later cross-examined by defence attorney Mark Conway.
Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul is presiding over the PI.
After yesterday’s hearing, the PI was adjourned to today, when Detective Headley will continue on the stand.
It is alleged that Stanton, 39, of Lot 53 Princes Street, Lodge, killed Sanasie, 45, who was shot dead around 7.30 pm on January 12, 2015 in front of her Lot 129 Atlantic Gardens home. She was shot multiple times to her upper body at point-blank range while she was opening her gate.
The shooting occurred almost a year after her husband, Ram’s Auto Spares and Ram’s Variety Store Owner Deokarran Sanasie accused her of being behind an attempted hit on him. Deokarran was also accused of ordering the hit on his wife and arrested, but there was no evidence against him and he was subsequently released by the police.
