Recaptured fugitive denies 2003 wedding house murder

Almost 15 years after Nandran Manohar, called Nando, was killed in a wedding house incident at Lancaster, Mahaica, East Coast, Demerara, murder accused Rajesh Guyadeen was finally arraigned before Justice Navindra Singh and a 12-member jury at the Demerara High Court, charged with committing the act on May 4, 2003.
After State Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs had presented the murder indictment against him on Thursday, January 11, Guyadeen entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecution is contending that Guyadeen and Manohar, called “Nando,” were both at a wedding house on the night of May 4, 2003 when someone alleged that Manohar had punctured Guyadeen’s bicycle wheel. Moments later, Manohar was heard crying out that he had been stabbed. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), and died there while receiving treatment.
It was also reported that Guyadeen, the main suspect, subsequently fled Guyana and was reportedly residing in neighbouring Suriname for some 10 years. He returned to the local shores in 2014 to be with his family, and was keeping a low profile. However, sometime after his return, Police caught him smoking marijuana at a location in Lancaster where drugs are normally used. After that arrest, he was identified as the fugitive who was wanted for Nando’s murder.
In this trial, Rajesh Guyadeen is being represented by Attorney Maxwell McKay, while Senior State Counsel Natasha Backer and State Counsel Abigail Gibbs are presenting the Prosecution’s case. The matter continues before Justice Navindra Singh and a 12-member jury on Monday.