Describing it as revenge for the murder of his brother Joel Henry, the prime suspect in the killing of West Coast Berbice (WCB) resident Surojdeo Deochand reportedly confessed to relatives that he committed the crime while under the influence of alcohol.
Stabroek News was reliably informed that one of the suspect’s relatives was questioned as part of the probe during which he provided investigators this information.
Reports are that the relative reportedly told the police that he received a call from his sister on Tuesday, who related to him that the suspect, Mark Anthony Henry called ‘Chipsman’, 24, was behaving disorderly.
She said the suspect was pelting bricks on Deochand’s house.
As a result, the man added that he confronted Mark who was armed with a cutlass yelling “dem kill we brother and we ain’t get justice”.
The man further related that Mark allegedly advanced towards him with the cutlass but he managed to dodge and held him down. However, he said Mark managed to escape and went to No.4 Village, WCB.
According to the man, he proceeded to Deochand’s house and upon arrival he saw what appeared to be blood on the ground.
Deochand also known as ‘Sagie’, 68, of Lot 35 Number Three Village, WCB, was found in a pool of blood in the lower flat of his house around 5.30 pm on Tuesday.
According to the police, he sustained a wound to the left side of his face, one to the back of his head, one on his left hand and one on his right hand causing three fingers to be severed.
An autopsy yesterday confirmed that Deochand died as a result of shock and haemorrhage and multiple incised wounds.
Hours after the murder, the police issued a wanted bulletin for Mark, who they said was wanted for questioning in relation the murder of Deochand.
On Wednesday afternoon, Mark turned himself in to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Eve Leary. He was accompanied by his lawyer.
Sources told Stabroek News that Mark has not provided investigators with any details about his alleged role in the crime.
However, according to the sources, investigators are in possession of enough evidence linking him to the crime.
Information received by Stabroek News revealed that evidence obtained in the case indicates that on Tuesday afternoon Mark and some men were imbibing alcohol. After some time, he left and later returned.
At the time, Mark was dressed in blue three-quarter pants and was bare footed. His pants reportedly had spots of blood and his back and feet had sand.
He was also armed with a cutlass and announced “I just chop up that one Sarji. I chop out he neck and face. He kill me brother and now I feel please I kill he now”. The suspect remained in police custody up to late yesterday afternoon. Investigators were in the process of seeking a High Court extension to further detain him since his 72-hours will expire before Easter Monday.
Deochand’s relatives previously told this newspaper that he was threatened numerous times in the past and his house was stoned several times causing him to relocate for months.
They said Deochand was arrested for questioning in connection with the murders of Joel Henry and Isaiah Henry. However, they said he was released after 72 hours after which he began to receive threats.
“During the protests and after they use to pelt his house down and he left and go at the Koker next to Berbice Bridge and live with some friends for months and he only come back about one week now,” one relative noted.
