Prosecution files statements in Bisram murder trial

The prosecution in the Marcus Bisram Preliminary Inquiry (PI) on Thursday filed statements, but the defence has objected to some, stating that the persons listed could not appear for the prosecution.

The prosecution, led by Attorney-at-Law Stacy Goodings, submitted statements for 39 witnesses. Also submitted as evidence were photographs and videos.
However, defence counsel Sanjeev Datadin objected to some of the statements. Those statements include those from the five persons who were initially charged along with Bisram for the murder of Fayaz Narinedatt of Number 70 Village, Corentyne. The five are Orlando Dickie, Radesh Motie, Diodath Datt, Harri Paul Parsram, and Niran Yacoob.
According to the defence, the evidence of the co-accused is not admissible as the statements were taken while the men were being interrogated for the murder.
“Basically, the Police was trying to get them to incriminate each other,” Attorney Datadin and as such, he asked that the statements which do not relate to the charge be excluded.
Bisram, Datadin reminded, was charged with procuring. He further said that the prosecution was also trying to get the caution statements taken from the five men tendered as evidence.
“There is no possibility of the State relying on the five to build its case…They are still to be tried in the High Court. How can the State get compellability?”
He argued that the Constitution gives one the right to remain silent. Datadin told the court that the five men were not asked whether or not they wanted to offer evidence against Bisram in the matter.
However, Goodings pointed out that it was the duty of the prosecution to present all of the evidence in its possession.
She noted that when Chaman Chunilall took the witness stand last week and gave his evidence, he made mention of the five men who were currently awaiting trial in the High Court.
Goodings noted that one of the Police witnesses was out of the jurisdiction and requested one week to report on whether they would be available to testify in person.
But Datadin objected to the prosecution being allowed to use any of the five Police witnesses.
He reiterated that “The statement of the five are not relevant. Hence, the carefully worded statements by the Police are also irrelevant as well as the other statements about the five accused.”
After listening to the arguments put forward by the defence, Magistrate Renita Singh asked Goodings whether the State was going to withdraw all evidence related to the five men, but she indicated that she has to seek advice on the matter. The matter was adjourned for one week.
The trial continues on Thursday, February 27 at the Whim Magistrate Court.
Bisram is accused of ordering the death of Narinedatt, a carpenter, of Number 70 Village, Corentyne, on November 30, 2016.
His death was initially reported as a suspected hit-and-run accident. It was later reported that Bisram made sexual advances to Narinedatt, who objected.