Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 02, 2014 Letters
Dear Sir,
My letter, I hope, should attract the attention of the Attorney General and the DPP in particular. It relates to the crime of ‘murder’; more particularly, the murder of witnesses in high profile cases.
On February 13, 2014 a simple-minded Guyanese of very humble upbringing, was brutally murdered while at work as a guard at a Nursery school in East Canje. His name was Kenneth Kanhai, nicknamed ‘Puri’. There was no apparent motive as robbery was ruled out.
I wonder how many persons know that this man, Puri, was a vital witness in the trial of one Ramdhanie Persaud, called ‘Prak’ who was charged with the murder of his wife. That trial is yet to be heard in the High Court in Berbice. Of course, Puri would not be testifying. Someone made sure of that.
Another murder took place on March 7, 2014 at Fyrish, Corentyne. There a mother of four, Patricia Samaroo, was murdered and her sister Annetta Samaroo was shot in the abdomen. Annetta has survived but the views expressed were that the wrong person was killed. Again there was no apparent motive as robbery was not a consideration. Is it a coincidence that Annetta Samaroo is a key witness, as a matter of fact an eye witness, in the murder of her husband and that case is still to be heard in the High court in Berbice?
Mr. Attorney General and Madame Director of Public Prosecution, is there a need to have some sort of “witness protection plan” for key witnesses in high profile cases or maybe we should just wait and see if any more key witness would be killed?
Please people in the respective authoritative portfolios, look at how witnesses can be allowed to testify in safety and without fear or intimidation. Attention should be drawn to the trial in the Berbice High Court that is going on as this letter is being typed.
One of the witnesses in this particular case is refusing to return to court to be cross-examined because he is deathly afraid for his life. There has been physical clash between the relatives of one of the accused and the relatives of the deceased. That matter is in the hands of the police.
And to further contaminate the smooth swing of the long arm of the law there was a rush to have the photographs of a witness taken, and by one of the defence counsel. And that came from the mouth of this defence counsel. He seemed to be elated by his photographic skills. He was quite ably supported by an employee of the other defence attorney.
I would like to ask all those who are reading this letter how they should view this big photo shoot in the halls of the high court —of a key defence witness by an attorney of one of the defendants. Were I that witness I would have been shaking in my pants just wondering and wanting to know why my photograph was being taken by persons closely associated to the accused. Should that not be deemed an act of intimidation of the witness? And especially when one has knowledge of who were taking the photographs?
Should this witness be protected? Should a proper and very thorough investigation be launched into theses unheard of actions during a murder trial? I am just curious and also appalled at these happenings in the middle of a murder trial.
Charrandass Persaud
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
Apr 19, 2024
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