Wakenaan/Meten-meer-Zorg murder/robberies … Speedboat operator, wife among 8 charged

By Kiana Wilburg, September 21, 2013 | By KNews | Filed Under News, Source

Pandemonium broke out around the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Middle Street yesterday, as eight of ten suspects detained for a murder and some robberies were remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry.

Delwayne Croft

They all appeared in court for the brutal murder of Met- en- Meerzorg grocer, Zulficar Namdar.

The eight defendants, including a woman who is the mother of one, were not required to enter a plea when the indictable charge was read to them by the Chief Magistrate.

The defendants who faced the murder charge were Jermain “Yankee” Williams, 36, of Gas Station Street, Anna Catherina; Esan Lawerence, 33.0 of Vreed-en-Hoop Jetty, West Coast Demerara; Delwyn Croft,32, of 589 Tushen Housing Scheme; Khyran “50 cents” Khan, 26, of Parika Railway embankment,  and Samuel Bacchus, 38, of East Ruimveldt Squatting Area.

His brother, Kirk Bacchus, was shot and killed during a confrontation with law enforcement officers shortly before the arrests.

Also facing the charge were Andrew “Sonic” Chandler, 34, of 80 West Met- en- Meerzorg,  Alan Dorsett, 38, of 601 Zeelugt, West Coast Demerara, and his 31-year-old wife Cassindra Singh.

Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told the court that on September 10, last, at 20:35 hours, Namdar was at his business place when it was invaded by a group of persons. The entrepreneur was subsequently shot and killed whilst his mother was robbed of $1.3M worth in jewellery and $320,000.

Investigations were carried out and police officers who received sensitive information, upon which they acted, arrested the said suspects, and charged them for the said offence.

Five suspects faced the charge of robbery under arms, the particulars of which stated that on September 7 at Good Success, Wakenaam, Essequibo, Dorsett, Lawrence, Williams, Croft and Khan, robbed Rohan Dhanayshure of $3.5M in jewellery and $2.2 million.

Prosecutor Mangru explained that on the said date, the defendants entered the wedding house of the complainant at Lot 12 Good Success, Wakenaam Island where they discharged several rounds.

Alan Dorsett

The men then robbed the complainant of the items mentioned in the charge and subsequently made good their escape.

Patrick Christian and Samuel Bacchus were charged with conspiracy to commit a felony. The court heard that no personal information such as age or address was recorded in the documents which were presented to the Chief Magistrate.

However, the prosecutor indicated to the court that the two accused, within the period September 13 to September 16, aided in the transportation of Kirk Bacchus and Keifer Small also known as “Frog eye” who robbed Sheriff Amand, a known businessman.

After they were captured and questioned, the prosecutor said that the defendants admitted to transporting the two men who committed the crime and waited for their return.

The duo was subsequently charged with the said offense.

Whilst nine of the defendants, were without representation, Attorney at Law, Melvin Duke represented Williams who faced the murder charge.

The Defense Attorney told the court that his client maintains his innocence as his statement was taken from him by force.

The lawyer explained that his client was tortured by the officers that arrested him and indicated that Williams still bears those marks of “torture.”

Khyran Khan

As the defendants were all denied bail and are expected to return to court on October 28 for report and fixture on their case, a ruckus occurred outside the courtroom as relatives of the defendants gathered and shouted that their loved ones did not commit the crime.

Dorsett’s mother, who appeared to be inconsolable, collapsed on Middle Street outside the court.

With her white cotton jersey soaked with her tears, she begged the law enforcement officers for an opportunity to speak with her son.

After she was denied to see him, the woman rushed towards her son who was being escorted to the holding cell.

Dorsett then seized the opportunity to hold on to his mother, but officers then intercepted as the two held each other firmly.

It took approximately five police officers to rake the accused away from his mother and into the holding cell.

With this behaviour, more officers were called in to reinforce the support of the other officers who had already blocked off both ends of Middle Street and surrounded the court.

Cassindra Singh        

 

Andrew Chandler