The murder trial of former Policeman Ruel Brandon commenced on Thursday when a 12-member jury was empanelled before Justice Nareshwar Harnanan at the High Court in Georgetown.
Deceased: Davonan Sookram
Brandon is accused of the execution-style murder of former Bushy Park, Parika resident Davonan Sookram, whose decomposed body was found in an area along Ruby Backdam, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), with two bullet wounds to the head.
Police contended that the murder occurred between July 27 and July 31, 2015. Reports back then stated that the defendant collected Sookram from his home and the man was not seen again. The former law enforcement rank had pleaded not guilty to the capital offence.
On Thursday, Police Inspector Detective Lalbachan Dyal testified to taking several photographs of the crime scene. Dyal told the court that he observed the body in a “slant position” with the head pointing towards the trench and the feet towards the road at Ruby Backdam. The witness further testified that the deceased male was clad in a bluish-grey t-shirt and multi-coloured shorts. Inspector Dyal further said that the man was bare-footed.
Former Policeman Ruel Brandon
The Police Detective further observed seeing two circular wounds, one in the forehead and the other in the back of the head. Dyal indicated that on August 3, 2015, he and other ranks, acting on information, went to an auto bodyworks shop at Zeelugt, EBE, where the owner, “Paquito” directed him to a silver-grey motor car which employees were working on.
The jury heard that a presumptive test was carried out in the trunk area of the car, which bore registration number PNN 1235. Inspector Dyal took photographs of the car and on August 4, 2015, he removed upholstery work from the said vehicle and later observed sand, loam and other particles lodged there. Dyal told the court that back then, the road at Ruby Backdam was not asphalted and was made from materials, including mud and sand.
The witness identified the photographs he had taken, which were admitted into evidence and shown to members of the jury. Under cross-examination by the accused’s Attorney, Nigel Hughes, Dyal admitted that he did not dust the car for fingerprints. However, in a swift re-examination by State Prosecutor Lisa Cave, Dyal clarified to the court that the car would have been “contaminated at that point”. State Counsels Siand Dhurjon and Shawnette Austin are also presenting the prosecution’s case.
The trial continues at the High Court.
