An Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man was on Friday arraigned for a murder that he allegedly committed 18 years ago and appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.
Deonarine Bhikari, 53, of Log Wood Enmore, ECD, was not required to plea to the indicated charge which stated that on May 21, 2000, he murdered Daniel Singh. The accused was 35 years old when reportedly hacked Singh to death in front of his four children.
The presiding prosecutor informed the court that the file is incomplete but assured the Magistrate that it will be at the next hearing. He was remanded to prison by Magistrate Peter Hugh. The case will continue on June 15.
However, on Friday, several family members of the dead man turned up at the court to get a glimpse of the accused, who was in cuffs and chains. The relatives
Deonarine Bhikari leaving the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court on Friday (Leroy Smith photo)
related that they were confident justice will be served.
Although waiting for 18 years, Dochand Singh, a son of the dead man related that he was extremely happy that the suspect was charged. He related that he does not mind waiting another 18 years as he is confident that justice will be fully served.
Eighteen years ago, 49-year-old Daniel Singh, of Hope West, Enmore, ECD and Bhikari usually had confrontations, since the suspect and Singh’s daughter, Nalini, had reportedly liked each other but Singh did not approve of that.
It was reported that Singh was on the front step of his home when he was reportedly attacked by Bhikari with a cutlass. Bhikari also killed three of the family’s dogs, while injuring Nalini Singh and another one of their dogs during the brutal attack.
One of the then young sons had recalled being awakened by his sister’s screams, and upon looking through the window, he saw the attacker firing chops at his father.
At the time of the attack, Nalini was shouting at the suspect, asking him what he was doing to her father. The man reportedly then turned his attention to her, also inflicting chops to both of her hands. She managed to escape, seeking refuge in a neighbour’s yard.
Meanwhile, two of Singh’s young sons were reportedly standing in shock watching helplessly as their unconscious father lay bleeding on the ground. Upon noticing that the attacker was charging towards them, the two young boys ran into the bedroom and locked the door.
After realising that he was unable to get the door open, the man reportedly left the yard by scaling the back fence and made good his escape. He then went into hiding.
Singh was picked up by neighbours who were awakened by screams and rushed him to the hospital where he was admitted and subsequently died a few days later without regaining consciousness.
