CCTV footage helps prosecution convict man for murder

The Demerara High Court has convicted Shaquille Foulkes, known as “Max,” of the 2020 murder of Hanuman Jadunauth, a 43-year-old man called “Baccoo.” The verdict was delivered after a detailed trial led by prosecutor Christopher Belfield, assisted by Muntaz Ali, with Lawrence Harris representing the defense.
Jadunauth’s brutal death occurred between March 30 and 31, 2020, in Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara. He was last seen alive in the company of Foulkes and another individual. Surveillance footage played a key role in the trial, showing the accused walking alongside Jadunauth on the night of March 30. In one clip, Foulkes was observed hitting Jadunauth, who was carrying a water bottle. Witnesses alleged that Foulkes had forced the victim to fetch the bottle.
Later footage captured Foulkes walking alone along Swan Street, this time holding a knife in his hand.
The following morning, police were called to Swan Street at 04:45h and found Jadunauth lying unconscious in the roadway. He had multiple stab wounds to his chest and neck, along with abrasions on his face. Jadunauth was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The post-mortem examination conducted by Dr Nehaul Singh revealed that Jadunauth died from perforation of the lung and trachea caused by stab wounds. His body showed additional injuries, including abrasions to his chest and face. The report noted the presence of undigested food and a strong smell of alcohol, suggesting he had consumed alcohol before his death.

Two days after the murder, Foulkes was arrested. During his interrogation, he admitted to being the man seen in the surveillance footage. However, he claimed he did not stab Jadunauth. Instead, Foulkes stated that another individual had dropped the knife, which he picked up and threw into a trench at the end of Swan Street. He later led police to the location where he claimed to have discarded the weapon, but the knife was never recovered.
Multiple witnesses testified against Foulkes during the trial. Some reported seeing him in the company of Jadunauth shortly before the murder, while one witness testified to witnessing the actual stabbing.
Despite the evidence against him, Foulkes continued to deny his involvement. He claimed he left a party on the night of March 30, 2020, and went directly to his aunt’s house in Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara. Foulkes also denied living in Pouderoyen, despite leading police officers to a residence in the area during his arrest, where a search was conducted.
Prosecutors relied on a combination of surveillance footage, witness testimony, and Foulkes’ contradictory statements to build a strong case against him. The jury deliberated on the evidence and ultimately returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
Sentencing for Foulkes has been scheduled for February 17.