Two men were on Friday remanded for the murder of a Corentyne rice farmer which occurred on January 30, 2020, at No 68 Village, Berbice.
Dead: Parmanand Lakeram
The two, 60-year-old Gobin Balram, a farmer, and 25-year-old Jerry Pirtam a labourer, both of Number 65 Village, Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne), were not required to plead to the indicated charge which stated that on January 30, they murdered 40-year-old Parmanand Lakeram.
The men made their appearance before Chief Magistrates Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and were remanded until February 25, 2020. The matter was transferred to the Springlands Magistrate’s Court.
Jerry Pirtam and Gobin Balram
It was reported that Lakeram and two men were in his vehicle travelling into the backdam when they saw a light approaching. As such, the farmer stopped his vehicle and disembarked to make inquiries but instead, he was shot in the process.
Police had stated that the now-dead man instructed his two friends to hide as he approached the oncoming motorbike.
After the incident, the friends told Police that they heard Lakeram screaming to them, “run boy, run, Chunic just shoot me’.
At that point, the men left their hiding places and went in different directions but as they ran for their lives, they heard other gunshots.
The two men quickly informed the family of what transpired and without hesitation, they went to the scene in the company of the dead man’s brother. There, they saw Lakeram sitting in a pool of blood next to his vehicle.
From all indications, the body bore about eight gunshot wounds to his hand, two to his head, and two to his abdomen. Both of the man’s friends had their hands tested for gunshot residue but none were found.A
