Sixth witness testifies at Neesa Gopaul murder PI

Dec 10, 2010 News 0

Detective Inspector Joel David, who is stationed at Ruimveldt, was the sixth person called to give evidence as the Neesa Gopaul preliminary inquiry continued before Magistrate Priya Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Jarvis Small, a gym instructor, and Bibi Gopaul, the teen’s mother, are accused of killing the young girl between September 24 and October 2, at Madewini on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.
Yesterday, the detective gave evidence pertaining to the detention of the number one accused Jarvis Small while he was at the Ruimveldt Police Station.
The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant Superintendant Robert Tyndall. Small is represented by Senior Counsel Bernard Dos Santos while attorney at law Vic Puran is appearing for Gopaul.
After Paul was finished giving his evidence in chief he was cross examined by the two defence counsel.
The matter was then adjourned and is expected to be called again on December 27.
On the last occasion, Assistant Superintendent Terrence Paul was called to the witness box. Assistant Superintendent Denise Griffith who is in charge of the East La Penitence Police station has also given evidence, along with Lance Corporal Anoudh Bissoon, Jennifer Sumrah and Keisha Douglas. Bissoon gave evidence about a medical examination form. The form was tendered as evidence.
Special Constable Sumrah testified about a report which was made earlier by the deceased. Cross examination by counsel was declined.
Detective Constable Douglas who was the third witness merely spoke about taking the deceased for a medical examination. Cross examination again was declined.
This newspaper was told that a total of 27 witnesses are expected to be called in the matter.
Neesa Gopaul went missing on September 23, last, and a report was made at the Leonora Police Station by her mother two days later. The girl’s body was found at the Emerald Towers Resort, on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway on October 2, last.
The teen’s disfigured body was in a large suitcase that was dumped into the Madewini Creek. Certain articles found in the suitcase led to the two defendants being arrested and charged with murder.
A length of rope was wrapped around the body and the killer(s) had attached two dumb-bells, weighing more than 80 pounds, to the other end of the rope, apparently in an effort to weigh the body down.
The victim was wearing a pair of black shorts and a multi-coloured top. Her passport and a bank card were found with the remains.
The gruesome find was made by a family that had gone to the abandoned resort to swim in the Madewini Creek.