41 of 105 cases disposed of in April 2025 Demerara Criminal Assizes

The Demerara April 2025 Criminal Assizes concluded last week following two months of judicial proceedings during which 41 of 105 listed cases were disposed of. Sitting during this Assizes were Justices Jo-Ann Barlow, Simone Morris-Ramlall, Zamilla Ally-Seepaul, Damone Younge, and Nareshwar Harnanan. Of the 41 matters concluded, 28 were prosecuted in the Demerara High Court by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), while 13 were discontinued through nolle prosequi (not to wish to prosecute).

Among the 28 High Court matters, 15 involved charges of murder, nine were sexual offences, two were for attempted murder with alternative counts of felonious wounding, and two were for manslaughter. In total, 31 accused persons appeared before the courts.
There were 14 guilty pleas, two guilty verdicts by jury, six not guilty verdicts, five formal verdicts of not guilty, and three matters nolle prosequi in open court.

Sexual Offences Court
State Counsels Simran Gajraj, Padma Dubraj, and Nerissa Peterkin prosecuted nine matters before Justice Damone Younge. Three accused were acquitted by jury. Three matters were discontinued due to complainants’ non-attendance. In two cases, complainants indicated their unwillingness to proceed, prompting formal not guilty verdicts. In the remaining matter, the accused pleaded guilty to raping a child under 16 and is awaiting sentencing on June 4, 2025.

Other cases
State Counsel Joy Williams, Rbina Christmas, and Geneva Wills completed six matters before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow. One manslaughter charge ended in a formal not guilty verdict after a successful no-case submission. In a case of attempted murder, the accused pleaded guilty to felonious wounding and was sentenced to eight years. One murder charge was dropped due to insufficient evidence. Another resulted in a jury acquittal. In a triple-indictment case, three accused pleaded guilty to manslaughter and felonious wounding. The lead accused received 18 and 10 years respectively, while the others were sentenced to 15 and 12 years. All sentences will run concurrently.
State Counsel Abiola Lowe, Praneta Seeraj, and Mtumika Lumumba presented six cases before Justice Nareshwar Harnanan. Five were for murder and one for manslaughter. In four murder cases, the accused pleaded guilty to manslaughter and received sentences ranging from seven years and three months to 16 years and seven months. One murder trial ended in a not guilty verdict. In the manslaughter case, the accused was found guilty by jury and is to be sentenced on June 17, 2025.
State Counsels Muntaz Ali, Marisa Edwards, and Darin Chan prosecuted four murder cases before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall. Three accused pleaded guilty; two received life imprisonment with parole eligibility after 18 and 24 years, respectively. The third will be sentenced on June 17. Another accused was found guilty by jury and also awaits sentencing on that date.
State Counsel Rbina Christmas and Alvaro Ramotar prosecuted three matters before Justice Zamilla Ally-Seepaul—two for murder and one for attempted murder. One accused was sentenced to 17 years and 11 months after a guilty plea. In a joint trial, one accused was acquitted and another saw a no-case submission upheld. In the attempted murder matter, the accused pleaded guilty to wounding with intent and will be sentenced on June 20.
Of the 13 matters discontinued by the DPP, five were sexual offences in which complainants opted not to proceed, while seven attempted murder cases were halted due to death of a complainant, compensation arrangements, or unwillingness to testify. One abduction matter was dropped due to an unlocatable complainant and a reluctant witness.

Essequibo Assizes
Meanwhile, the February 2025 Criminal Assizes continued in Essequibo with Justice Navindra Singh presiding from late March. State Counsel Caressa Henry presented 13 matters, nine for murder and four for sexual offences. Three murder accused pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 12, 20, and 13 years, respectively. Six others pleaded guilty to manslaughter, with one also pleading guilty to wounding with intent and receiving concurrent 10 and two year sentences. Three others received sentences between two and five years, while two await sentencing on June 16.
In sexual offence matters, one accused was sentenced to 10 years after a guilty plea. Another was found guilty by jury and will be sentenced on June 10. In the remaining two cases, one complainant declined to proceed and the other resulted in a hung jury. One matter was discontinued due to the complainant’s death.

Berbice Assizes
In Berbice, the February 2025 Criminal Assizes is ongoing. Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry began sitting from March. State Counsel Cicelia Corbin has concluded four cases, three for sexual offences and one for murder. The murder accused pleaded guilty to manslaughter and will be sentenced on June 10.
Two sexual offence accused were acquitted by jury, and in the third matter, the State offered no evidence after the complainant refused to testify, prompting a formal not guilty verdict.
The DPP also discontinued six cases, five for sexual offences and one for attempted murder and wounding, based on statements from complainants expressing their unwillingness to proceed. The Berbice Assizes continues until June 16.