After a short-lived release, Marcus Bisram was yesterday remanded to prison once again after Magistrate Renita Singh complied with a directive from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and reopened the preliminary inquiry into the murder charge against him at the Whim Magistrate’s Court.
The magistrate later ruled that there was still no case for Bisram to answer based on the information before her but she will await further advice from the DPP’s Chambers.
The charge states that between 31 October, 2016 and 1 November, 2016, at Number 70 Village, Corentyne, Bisram counselled, procured and commanded Harri Paul Parsram, Radesh Motie, Niran Yacoob, Diodath Datt and Orlando Dickie to murder Faiyaz Narinedatt.
Magistrate Singh had ruled on Monday that a prima facie case was not made out against Bisram, after which she discharged the matter and Bisram left the court. However, in less than three hours Bisram was re-arrested at Number 78 Village, Corentyne.
The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in a statement to the press on Monday had noted, that “there was sufficient evidence for the Magistrate Ms. Renita Singh to have committed Bisram”.
The statement added, “The DPP in compliance with the law requested the court documents from the magistrate and having been satisfied that there was sufficient evidence contained therein for him to have been committed, has directed the magistrate to re-open the Preliminary Inquiry”.
After arguments yesterday, the magistrate then ruled that she does not doubt the powers of the DPP and was complying, while noting that there was no difficulty in reopening the PI.
She told Bisram that at that point he had three options—to either remain silent, give an unsworn statement from the docks in relation to the charge or give evidence from the witness box, where he can be cross-examined.
However, Bisram, who opted to give an unsworn statement, said, “I am not guilty of murder or any other offence. That is all, thank you.”
Magistrate Singh then asked Bisram whether he wished to call any witnesses to which he said no. The magistrate then asked whether that was it for the defence’s case and they indicated that was the case.
State Prosecutor Stacy Goodings then indicated that the state wished to rely on the letters from the DPP, after which the magistrate then stated that the court still holds the view that a prima facie case was not made out against Bisram.
The magistrate said after complying with the DPP’s directive, she could either commit the accused to stand trial or adjourn the inquiry to notify the DPP, who will then give further directions. “The court will not commit the accused since it will not go against its findings that there is not a sufficient case, so I will adopt the latter option and I will adjourn this matter to get further directions from the DPP,” she announced.
As a result, Bisram will return to the Whim Magistrate’s Court on Monday at 1 pm for the next hearing.
Meanwhile, Bisram’s attorneys also argued that he was unlawfully arrested, since according to them, he should have only been arrested after the magistrate had decided to reopen the matter and issued an arrest warrant. They also gave an indication that they would approach the High Court.
Goodings during her arguments sought to remind the court that she was present on behalf of the DPP. She argued, that the directive from the DPP was valid and must be complied with as it did not infringe the law.
