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May 14, 2013 News
Defence lawyer Charrandas Persaud, yesterday addressed the jury when the manslaughter trial of Wazim Mohamed, 26, called “Junior” of Mara, East Bank Berbice, continued in the Berbice High Court before Justice Dawn Gregory and a mixed jury.
Mohamed is accused of killing his one time friend, Russell Nelson, 62, called ‘Josie’ of Fyrish, Corentyne Berbice on September 27, 2005 at Fyrish Corentyne, Berbice.
Defence Attorney Persaud in his address stated, that there were no eye witnesses and that the prosecution only depended on circumstantial evidence which was weak. The attorney looked at the evidence of Corporal Primus Sam and asked the jury to disbelieve what the policeman said.
He zeroed in on the time aspect of Sam’s evidence and wondered how in 10 minutes he could have done all that he said he did. He said that the evidence by Corporal Eon Grannum and former policeman Safraz Matadial was contradictory and very suspicious.
Persaud also questioned the evidence of the other witnesses and asked the jury to disbelieve their story. He drew attention to the cause of death of Nelson as described by Government Pathologist Dr. Vivekanand Brijmohan as fractured skull and septicaemia.
He said that Dr. Brijmohan stated that, that fractured skull could have been caused by a fall and that the septicaemia was caused by negligence which was a factor in Nelson’s death. He said that his client was in the wrong place at the wrong time and drew reference to the evidence given by Shameer Nabbi, that on the night in question he was looking for a man without a shirt.
Also testifying during the trial were Chandrawattie Mangal, Ramanan Nabbi and his wife Fazilia Nabbi, their daughter Fazila Nabbi and neighbour, Esau Mohamed.
Earlier defence, Attorney-at-law Persaud had called the accused to make an unsworn statement from the docks. Mohamed told the court that on the day in question he was on the dam and had a conversation with Nelson. He then left and headed towards his home. However before he went home he stopped at his work place at Arjune’s Chicken Farm.
He said he told Corporals Sam and Granum that he did not lash Nelson. “I did not beat anyone. I did not give any statement to the police. I am innocent.”
Wazim Mohamed is alleged to have beaten Nelson on a dam at Kilcoy Village, Corentyne and left him in a critical condition. The man was picked up and rushed to the hospital. He died three months later on December 5, 2005.
The trial continues today when the prosecutor is expected to address the jury.
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