A 24-year-old man accused of murdering a Berbice couple during a robbery back in 2016 pleaded not guilty at his arraignment before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the High Court in Berbice. As such, a 12-member mixed jury was empanelled to hear the case.
It is alleged that between January 8 and 9, 2016, Nazameed Rafeek of Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice (WCB), murdered Arthur Rajkumar, 81, and Diane Chamanlall, 44, during the course or furtherance of a robbery.
The murder accused is being represented by Senior Counsel Mursaline Bacchus, while State Counsel Abigail Gibbs is appearing for the prosecution.
Murdered: Arthur Rajkumar and Diane Chamanlall
A Police report stated that on January 9, 2016, at around 03:00h, Police ranks acting on information went to a home at Lot 93 A Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice. As the ranks approached the home, three men were seen jumping over a fence on the premises.
The Police ranks gave chase but the men managed to escape. Upon checking the house which was ransacked, the ranks found the couple with chop wounds about their bodies. They were taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital where Rajkumar was pronounced dead on arrival.
Murder accused: Nazameed Rafeek
The man’s wife died while receiving medical attention. It was reported that the couple operated an ice cream parlour at their home.
Reports indicate that the elderly man was brutally chopped about his body and his neck was almost severed while his spouse sustained nine chop wounds – including on her hands, face, and head.
In 2020, Rooplall Abrahim and Madanpaul Gocoul, who were also charged with the couple’s murder, pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. Abrahim was sentenced to life imprisonment; he will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years. Gocoul was handed a 24-year prison sentence. (G1)
