Neesa Gopaul PI…Cross-examination of two witnesses continues

The preliminary inquiry (PI) into the death of Neesa Lalita Gopaul continued yesterday, with two witnesses giving further evidence in the matter involving Bibi Gopaul and Jarvis Small.
The two are facing the pre-trial proceedings in relation to the 2010 murder of Bibi Gopaul’s daughter. The matter is being presided over by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
On Wednesday, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Marlon Chapman gave evidence. He returned to be cross examined by Attorney-at-law Vic Puran after completing his evidence-in-chief while being led by State Prosecutor Primita Kissoon.
Yesterday, the senior police officer returned to court to conclude his cross examination by Puran. Puran is representing the dead girl’s mother, while Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos, who has been absent for several hearings, is representing Small.
The prosecution declined the re-examination of ASP Chapman following the conclusion of his testimony.
Next in the witness box was Detective Sergeant Mitchell Caesar, he also returned to court to be further cross- examined by Bibi Gopaul’s attorney. Caesar related evidence based on his role in the investigation. The last time the officer was in the witness box he was required to return with certain information that he would have received from the police station.
The officer’s testimony was over in approximately 10 minutes.
Subsequent to stepping out of the witness box, the prosecution indicated its desire to call two more witnesses, one of whom an arrest warrant has already been issued for.
Two dates were also set for the continuation of the PI and in light of the prosecution’s declaration, Puran requested that the prosecution make available all its remaining witnesses on the second day of the pre-trial matter, where it would be likely that the prosecution would close its case.
However, after a rebuttal by the prosecution, the court granted the prosecutor’s request of not having their case confined to a date that was convenient to the defence.
The PI will continue next Tuesday.