Murder accused found guilty in Berbice Assizes

Murder accused Shazam Khalil, also called “Rabbit”, was on Thursday found guilty of murder by a mixed jury in the Berbice Assizes.

The 23-year-old cane harvester of 53 Shieldstown, West Bank Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), murdered Shazina Mohamed, of Edinburgh Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-

Corentyne) on January 17, 2015, in front of the Yang Yi Chinese Restaurant, at Rosignol.

The State’s case is that Khalil and the 19-year-old girl were former lovers. On the day in question, she was with friends at Rosignol Village when the accused attacked and stabbed her. She was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

An autopsy conducted on the body of Mohamed revealed that the teen died as a result of shock and hemorrhage due to multiple stab wounds.

Attorney Stacy Goodings proved to the jury that Khalil killed the teenager out of jealousy.

In a confession statement which the court accepted and was read to the jury, the defendant said, “Officer a love Shaniza bad and she hurt me bad and she hurt my feelings when I see she with a man. I had tattoo she name on me stomach. I does give Shazina whatever she wants.”

Following the verdict by the jury, defence Attorney Tajenarine Ramroop asked the court for a probation report on the defendant.

Justice Jo-Ann Barlow delayed sentencing for two weeks, when a probation report on Khalil is expected to be presented to the court.

Meanwhile, Guyana Times had reported that Mohamed left home to collect a cellphone from a friend at Rosignol. She later went to a restaurant with a friend and his sister and while the sister was eating inside, Mohamed and the friend stayed at a table outside of the restaurant. Her friend said he left her at the table for only a few seconds, when he heard Mohamed scream and saw her holding her stomach, as blood soaked through her clothing. The suspect was seen running away.

According to the report carried in this newspaper, Kaili was later arrested and what is believed to be the murder weapon was recovered at his home. (Andrew Carmichael)