The man accused of executing a Corentyne rice farmer last month is being granted the opportunity to seek private medical attention even though he remains on remand.
Magistrate Alex Moore ordered that Gobin Ram Balram be allowed to take the necessary treatment at a private hospital when he appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Murdered: Parmanand Lakeram
Balram, 60, a rice farmer, and 25-year-old Jerry Pirtam, a labourer, both of Number 65 Village, are accused of killing 40-year-old Parmanand Lakeram called “Fancy” and “Bachand”, a cattle and rice farmer of No 68 Village, Corentyne.
The crime reportedly occurred on January 30, 2020, at Number 67 Village.
When the case was called on Thursday, Police Prosecutor Inspector Orin Joseph told the court that the file was 95 per cent complete, and requested more time.
However, April 3 was set for the police to report on their readiness and also for the prosecution to make a disclosure to the defence.
Attorney-at-Law Bernard DaSilva who is representing Ram told the court that his client was not feeling well and had to report to the prison authorities at the New Amsterdam Prison.
Murder suspects: Gobin Ram Balram and Jerry Pirtam
He said Balram was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital but the hospital did not have the necessary medication and as such, he was given pain killers.
DaSilva then requested that Balram be allowed to seek medical attention at a private hospital, noting that the accused’s family members have agreed to take care of the bill.
It was reported that Lakeram and two of his workers went into the backdam to check on his pump during the night when they heard a motorcycle approaching and noticed the headlight.
At the time, Lakeram was attending to two cows and he reportedly told his workers to hide and went to investigate. As he walked towards the motorcycle, several gunshots were fired.
Upon hearing the gunshots, the two workers reportedly ran for safety in different directions.
After the motorcycle sped off the scene carrying the shooters, the two workers rushed to Lakeram’s assistance but it was too late. They instead went to alert family members of what had transpired. The two suspects were subsequently arrested and charged for the capital offence.
