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Marcus Bisram outside of the Camp Street Prison yesterday after being freed.

Marcus Bisram

June 3 2020

Source

Marcus Bisram was yesterday freed for the second time since his extradition to Guyana after the High Court on Monday ruled that the order by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to reopen the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murder charge levelled against him was unlawful.

The charge against Bisram alleged that between October 31, 2016 and November 1, 2016, at Number 70 Village, Corentyne, he counselled, procured and commanded Harri Paul Parsram, Radesh Motie, Niran Yacoob, Diodath Datt and Orlando Dickie to murder Faiyaz Narinedatt.

Bisram was extradited to Guyana from the United States in November last year.  He was returned after a US appeals court ordered that he be extradited after denying both a rehearing of his appeal arguments and a motion to stay the extradition.

On November 21st, he was charged with the murder of Narinedatt and remanded to prison.

However, on March 30th, Magistrate Renita Singh discharged Bisram based on insufficient evidence. Hours after Bisram was rearrested as the DPP wrote the Magistrate and directed that she reopen the PI and commit Bisram to stand trial.

Section 72 (2) (i) and (ii) (a) and (b) of the Criminal Law Procedure Act, Chapter 10:01, empowers the DPP to so act.

The Magistrate subsequently reopened the inquiry but stuck to her ruling that there was insufficient evidence to commit Bisram to stand trial. She, however, committed Bisram to stand trial in the High Court.

As a result of this, Bisram, through his attorney, Sanjeev Datadin had approached the High Court to challenge the DPP’s directives.

The matter was heard before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall.

He had argued that DPP’s decision was “unreasonable, unlawful and malicious,” and wanted the court to make declarations to this effect.

In his action before the High Court, Bisram was seeking an order of certiorari quashing the DPP’s decision as he had contended that it was made in bad faith, ignoring relevant considerations, was ultra vires, contrary to the rules of natural justice and made without any legal basis.

He was also seeking an order prohibiting Magistrate Singh from taking any steps regarding the charge against him based on the DPP’s instructions, except to discharge him.

He argued that his constitutional rights guaranteed in Article 144 of the Constitution have been breached and continued to be breached and that his arrest and continued incarceration were unlawful.

The Article states “If any person is charged with a criminal offence, then, unless the charge is withdrawn, the case shall be afforded a fair hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial court established by law.”

Bisram also sought vindicatory damages against the DPP, Magistrate Singh, the Commissioner of Police, the Attorney General and State Prose-cutor Stacy Goodings, who are all listed as respondents in the case.

He contended that they had no lawful reason to have detained him and was hoping for an order from the court compelling them to release him forthwith.

He also wanted to be granted any further order the court deemed just and equitable to grant as well as costs.

Following Magistrate Singh’s announcement that she had received directions to commit Bisram, which she had said she would comply with as the order was clear, Datadin announced that he had filed High Court proceedings on his client’s behalf and asked the Magistrate to grant a stay until those matters were heard and determined.

This was, however, not granted.

Goodings had pointed out that there was no order or judgment from any other court compelling the magistrate to grant the stay.

Magistrate Singh had stressed that, “The only direction this court has is what is from DPP” and that there was no other order stating that the court could not comply with the DPP’s order.

The magistrate had noted that without any other order or stay she would not disobey the DPP’s order, “therefore the accused is hereby committed for the offence he is charged.”

Attorney Sanjeev Datadin yesterday told Stabroek News that following the conclusion of arguments on Monday, Justice Morris-Ramlall ruled that the DPP’s actions were unlawful.

“The DPP erred in law and misapplied her power under Section 72.S she did not act according to Section 72 of the Criminal Law Procedure Act. The DPP’s actions were unlawful,” Datadin said.

Datadin noted that Bisram will be filing a lawsuit against the DPP and the state.

“The next step is that he is freed. All is done for that. He will be taking action against the state for bringing these charges against him and for having been incarcerated for all this time. On the basis of no evidence, he intends to bring legal proceedings against the state for malicious prosecution and violation of his constitutional rights,” Datadin said.

Bisram was released around midday yesterday following the completion of all the necessary procedures, including the signing of all documents.

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Third world Law  and Courts triumphs  over US Law and Courts ,the US Judges got to be wrong with their judgements,perhaps they need some training in the Third World Countries.

Django
Last edited by Django
@Django posted:

Third world Law  and Courts triumphs  over US Law and Courts ,the US Judges got to be wrong with their judgements,perhaps they need some training in the Third World Countries.

You talking sheer shyte.  He was freed because of lack of evidence. The DPP made a punitive order to rearrest. In the end, evidence must be presented at a trial. The same prosecution don’t have new information.  So you cannot prosecute. 

I always thought this would be a difficult case as it relied of circumstantial evidence. 

FM
Last edited by Former Member
@Former Member posted:

You talking sheer shyte.  He was freed because of lack of evidence. The DPP made a punitive order to rearrest. In the end, evidence must be presented at a trial. The same prosecution don’t have new information.  Do you cannot prosecute. 

I always thought this would be a difficult case as it relied of circumstantial evidence. 

So the US Judge erred ? there is Case for trial and extradite Bisram from the US.

What's up with all the shyte ,is it the environment where domiciled ?

Django
Last edited by Django
@Django posted:

So the US Judge erred ? there is Case for trial and extradite Bisram from the US.

What's up with all the shyte ,is it the environment where domiciled ?

You are so simple minded.  

The US judge did not conduct a trial.  The Guyana prosecutors present information to get an extradition.  None of this was cross examined. The fact that the US judge said it warrants extradition is in no way proof of guilt or innocence. The real trial have to occur in Guyana where evidence has to be provided and vetted and witnessed cross examined. 

An extradition hearing is not a trial. The burden of proof is much lower.

FM
@Former Member posted:

You are so simple minded.  

The US judge did not conduct a trial.  The Guyana prosecutors present information to get an extradition.  None of this was cross examined.

The fact that the US judge said it warrants extradition is in no way proof of guilt or innocence.

The real trial have to occur in Guyana where evidence has to be provided and vetted and witnessed cross examined. 

An extradition hearing is not a trial. The burden of proof is much lower.

So US Judge goofed up with the evidence presented for Bisram extradition to stand trial ?

His Lawyers in Guyana and the US had to defend his eradication for trail.

Django
Last edited by Django
@Django posted:

So US Judge goofed up with the evidence presented for Bisram extradition to stand trial ?

You are such a joker banna. Do you know the difference? Since when an extradition supplant an actual trial?

What this has created are doubts on future requests.  Any US extradition defense will use this case to show the prosecution in Guyana are providing incorrect and made up info to get extradition orders.

The punitive action of the DPP To rearrest will harm future requests.  This is a black spot on the face of the DPP.

FM
@Former Member posted:

You are such a joker banna. Do you know the difference? Since when an extradition supplant an actual trial?

Why would the US Judge extradite a person if there are no hard evidence for trial ?

The Lawyers in Guyana said there is no evidence ,i am sure they present the same at the extradition hearings in the US.

Django
Last edited by Django
@Django posted:

Why would the US Judge extradite a person if there are no hard evidence for trial ?

The Lawyers in Guyana said there is no evidence ,i am sure they present the same at the extradition hearings in the US.

Brother, the man was extradited for THE ALLEGATION OF MURDER; NOT MURDER.

FM
@Django posted:

I guess the US Judge goofed up on the evidence of allegation ,to send him for trial.

I think it was just courtesy that America honored Guyana's request. If the US has a similar case in the future they are hoping Guyana will reciprocate. Two will play the game.

FM
@Former Member posted:

I think it was just courtesy that America honored Guyana's request. If the US has a similar case in the future they are hoping Guyana will reciprocate. Two will play the game.

If that be the scenario ,it's wrong  Bisram was incarcerated for a while in the US.

Django
@Django posted:

He is planning to sue the Guyana Government ,he should also sue the US Justice system for wrongful incarceration.

Banna, you so rudimentary in your logic.  It’s no wonder you gobble all the sh1t the PNC throws your way. 

Get this, the USG was never a party to the trial. They were merely honoring a treaty obligation with the GOG.  His lawsuit is properly directed towards the GOG for everything. Of course, I’m sure if they found the US was complicit, he may have a case against them. However, I doubt.

FM
@Former Member posted:

Banna, you so rudimentary in your logic.  It’s no wonder you gobble all the sh1t the PNC throws your way. 

Get this, the USG was never a party to the trial. They were merely honoring a treaty obligation with the GOG.  His lawsuit is properly directed towards the GOG for everything. Of course, I’m sure if they found the US was complicit, he may have a case against them. However, I doubt.

Banna ,always throw in useless opening remarks stick to the topic.

Then almost agree with what is said.

Now tell the opening remarks are to show some form of superiority ? are you the sharpest tool in the shed ?

Django
Last edited by Django
@Django posted:

Banna ,always throw in useless opening remarks stick to the topic.

Then almost agree with what is said.

Now tell the opening remarks are to show some form of superiority ? are you the sharpest tool in the shed ?

I am on topic. Your comments reflect a rudimentary understanding of the issue.  I’m not a lawyer but I know enough of the process.  You are all over throwing spaghetti. 

FM
@alena06 posted:

No civil case against Bisram for all that dough he has?

They could. I’m surprised that was not filed when he arrived. It was his party so they have a case in a civil suit. 

FM
@Former Member posted:

I am on topic. Your comments reflect a rudimentary understanding of the issue.  I’m not a lawyer but I know enough of the process.  You are all over throwing spaghetti. 

https://casetext.com/case/bisram-v-united-states

Link to extradition case ,compare to the Guyana Magistrate decision ,then explain what's rudimentary understanding. In Guyana corrupt system anything happens.

Django
Last edited by Django
@Former Member posted:

I am on topic. Your comments reflect a rudimentary understanding of the issue.  I’m not a lawyer but I know enough of the process.  You are all over throwing spaghetti. 

Stop pelting kaka. In Guyana money talks, bullshit walks. Don't you know?

Mitwah

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