Drinking spree murder accused to face judge, jury

Lakeram Shankar, the man who allegedly stabbed his friend to death during a drinking spree, was on Tuesday committed to stand trial at the High Court by Magistrate Leron Daly, after she declared a prima facie case was made out against him.
Magistrate Daly, while handing down her ruling, pointed out that the prosecution has provided substantial evidence against the defendant, who failed to negate the prosecution’s case.

Murder accused: Lakeram Shankar
Murder accused: Lakeram Shankar

The charge against the defendant stated that between May 8 and May 9, 2016 at Timehri, East Bank Demerara, the 25-year-old of Lot 17 Fire Station Road, Timehri, murdered Kawall Persaud.
Shankar was not required to plead to the indictable charge. He was represented by Attorney-at-Law Satesh Kissoon.
The court heard that on the day in question, the two men were consuming alcohol at a popular shop in the area,  but as it grew late in the evening, the proprietor closed for business. The two men, however, remained seated on a bench, where they continued the drinking spree.
According to reports, the men were heard arguing and as neighbours looked out, they saw the suspect, Shankar, a security guard, stabbing the now dead man. Persaud reportedly received a stab wound to his abdomen which caused him to collapse.
The injured man was taken to the Diamond hospital and was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.