The two men charged with the murder of Sophia woman Simone Hackett, yesterday appeared in court where the individual charges were withdrawn and a joint charge instituted.
Taxi driver Ranachal Singh, 31, of Lot 7 Good Faith, Mahaicony and Cleavaughn Hamilton, 37, of 96 Catherina, Mahaicony, who is the father of Hackett’s child, made their second appearance before Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul.
Police Prosecutor David Goodridge said he was advised by the Director of Public Prosecutions to have the individual charges withdrawn and the two charged jointly with the crime.
The new charge alleged that Singh and Hamilton, between April 16 and 19, at Cummings Lodge East Coast Demerara, murdered Hackett.
Attorney-at-law Peter Hugh, who stepped in for his colleague Latchmie Rahamat, appeared on behalf Singh. He requested from the magistrate a disclosure in the matter as early as possible. Hugh was subsequently granted that privilege by the magistrate. The matter was adjourned until June 20 for report. Singh and Hamilton were further remanded to prison.
Meanwhile, outside the court room, the relatives of the deceased and the accused had to be escorted out of the compound by the police after an argument ensued. They were told to leave after the magistrate said that they were disturbing the court. Even though they were out of the compound the relatives continued their fight in the street.
On April 16, Hackett had left her Sophia home to pick up a package that she was told was sent for her son, who was celebrating his birthday the following day. However, Hackett never returned home. On April 19, two schoolboys found a body in a trench between Third and Fourth streets, Cummings Lodge, which turned out to be Hackett’s.
