The Guyana Police Force is awaiting advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on how to proceed in the killing of Anthony Pakanram, who was stabbed by his former partner on Sunday.
Commander of Region Four (B) Mahendra Sewnarine, when contacted yesterday, stated that the file on the matter was returned to the DPP’s Office with additional information that was requested. They are presently awaiting a response.
The police had reported that Pakanram, called ‘Max,’ was stabbed by his common-law wife, who police said he had been threatening with a knife.
According to the police, the couple had been in a common-law relationship in which the suspect had been the victim of violence—a claim that has since been refuted by the family of the dead man.
On Saturday, July 24, the police said, the suspect and Pakanram had a misunderstanding which caused him to physically assault the suspect, who moved out of their home to her parents’ abode at Old Road Providence.
On Sunday last around 3.30 pm, Pakanram went to the location and an argument ensued. He became angry and armed himself with a knife. Despite the suspect trying to flee, Pakanram cornered her and a scuffle ensued.
“In the melee, the suspect then heard (Pakanram) groan and saw him bleeding from the neck. As they parted, he walked a short distance and collapsed”, the police said.
He was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre by family members and he died while receiving care. A post-mortem examination confirmed that he died as a result of a stab wound to the neck. Meanwhile, Theresa (only name given), a sister of Pakanram, during an interview with Stabroek News, stated that the deceased was not an abusive partner. While the police reported that the suspect had moved out of the home she shared with the deceased, Theresa denied the claims.
The woman said that the suspect was accompanied by police officers on Monday to uplift clothing from the couple’s Lot 100 Providence, East Bank Demerara home, and she questioned why visit the home to uplift her belongings if she “move out three months ago” as has been claimed.
On Saturday, the sister recalled being invited by the suspect to indulge in alcohol and later accompanied her. She said that her brother observed the suspect using $18,000 he gave her to purchase alcohol instead of buying supplies for their three children. Pakanram enquired about it after which the suspect allegedly gave Theresa $3,000 to make the purchase. She shared that the deceased, who witnessed another man touching his wife, approached her and pulled her, requesting that they leave with the children.
The sister said the intoxicated suspect then picked up a bottle to hit Pakanram but was stopped by someone, after which Pakanram slapped her twice. In return, he was attacked by one of the suspect’s brothers.
On Sunday Theresa stated that she was informed by her niece and sister that Pakanram had been killed. The woman, who subsequently visited the scene, recalled walking up to a number of persons around and observing the suspect’s sister hitting her asking why she had committed the act.
An older sister who was with the deceased at the time he made the visit stated that she was outside when she heard him call out.
After responding to the call, the woman said she saw her brother holding his neck and the suspect standing at the door with the murder weapon in her hand.
The woman said she immediately took her brother and placed him in a prone position and called for an uncle, she fainted after.
A neighbour who also stated that the suspect was an alcoholic, said that the couple did have arguments but Pakanram was not abusive. She described him as a helpful and kind person.
The family is seeking justice for the deceased and asked officials to intervene to help the couple’s children.
