From top left to right: Niran Yacoob, Harri Paul Parsram, Radesh Motie. Bottom left to right: Diodath Datt, Orlando Dickie
September 20 2018
Magistrate Charlyn Artiga yesterday found that a prima facie case had been made out against the five men charged with the 2016 murder of Number 70 Village, Corentyne carpenter Faiyaz Narinedatt.
The five are Orlando Dickie, Radesh Motie, Diodath Datt, Harri Paul Parsram, and Niran Yacoob. The alleged mastermind, Marcus Bisram remains in police custody in the US. The Caribbean Court of Justice recently dismissed an application made on his behalf for an urgent hearing of a challenge to a local judge’s refusal to discontinue the charge against him.
Police here have alleged that Bisram procured and commanded Dickie, Motie, Datt, Parsram, and Yacoob to murder Narinedatt between October 31st and November 1st, 2016, at Number 70 Village, Berbice.
At the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Magistrate Artiga ruled that a prima facie case had been made against the five. They are expected to lead a defence at the next court date. Attorney-at-law Sanjeev Datadin who was present during the proceedings yesterday, requested another date since all of the accused’s attorneys were not present. The matter will be called next on September 28.
The case is being prosecuted by attorney Stacy Goodings.
Before reading her ruling, Magistrate Artiga asked the journalists present in the courtroom to stand as she took their names along with those of the news agencies they represent. The magistrate warned that they should not report the evidence in the matter since the preliminary inquiry into the murder is still ongoing.
After the next date for the matter was set, outside of the courtroom, a Kaieteur News reporter was seen taking pictures of the lawyers in discussion when a man standing with Bisram’s relatives began to hurl insults and threats towards her. The man told the reporter that if he had a brick in his hand, he would pelt her camera, after which he said, “I would lash you and buss up you face.”
The reporter then filed a complaint with the police at the number 51 Police Station, who then escorted the man to the station. The man said, “The magistrate warn them that them can’t do these things.” However, the police explained to the man that the reporter was doing her job, and warned him about his behaviour. The man subsequently apologised to the reporter on the orders of the police.