A Corentyne farmer and a labourer were yesterday charged with the murder of fellow resident Parmanand Lakeram, whose body was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds last week, following a claimed dispute centred on a stolen cow.
Gobin Balram, a 60-year-old farmer, and Jerry Pirtam, a 25-year-old labourer, both of Number 65 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, were brought to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where neither was required to plead to the charge.
It is alleged that on January 30th, at Number 68 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, they murdered Parmanand Lakeram.
After the charge was read to the men by the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, the prosecution told the court that Lakeram’s body was found at the Number 68 Village backlands by relatives, who say they had heard of the shooting. His body was discovered covered in blood and with multiple gunshot wounds.
The prosecution also said that some of the deceased man’s friends witnessed the events leading to his death, as they were hiding in bushes when Balram and Pirtam allegedly shot Lakeram over a stolen cow.
Both men were remanded to prison until February 25th, when they are due to appear at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court.
A source had told this newspaper that it was alleged that the deceased and his workmen were known to capture unbranded cattle and then claim ownership. “We think these persons probably trace them knowing they does thief the cattle,” he said.
The source noted that based on statements from workers who were with Lakeram just before he was fatally shot, they were in bushes herding cattle when they saw the light of a motorcycle approaching.
They told investigators that Lakeram told them to stay put while he checked who was approaching. However, upon checking, he was met with a hail of bullets.
The source said that based on information received, it is believed that two persons were present on the motorcycle during the attack. The source reported that nothing was stolen from Lakeram or his vehicle.
