‘Frenchie’ remanded over alleged murder of wife in 2009

Charles Chapman, called ‘Frenchie’, yesterday appeared before a city magistrate charged with the  murder of his former wife eight years ago.

Chapman, 61, was read the charge by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, which stated that on March 12, 2009 he murdered Savitri Arjune.

The defendant was not required to enter a plea to the charge.

He was subsequently remanded and will make his next court appearance on February 3.

Charles Chapman
Savitri Arjune

‘Frenchie,’ a former soldier and seaman, had been on the run since March 12, 2009, when he fled the country after allegedly stabbing Arjune, a mother of two of Lot 382 Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

It was previously reported that Chapman was arrested last Friday at the Central Police Station, New Amsterdam, Berbice, in relation to a wounding incident. Chapman had  moved to Suriname about eight years ago after the murder but had returned to Guyana three years ago.

Previous reports carried by this newspaper stated that the woman, who was an employee at Roti Plus, was allegedly stabbed to death by Chapman, minutes after she left home for work.

Reports had revealed that around 6 am, as Arjune  neared the EBD Public Road, she was confronted by Chapman and stabbed at least three times; one of the wounds was to the heart.