Trial begins for man accused of fatally stabbing Corentyne resident in heart

The trial of Andrew Seegobin for the murder of Ramanand Mingo commenced on Monday at the Berbice Assizes before Justice Deborah Kumar-Chetty.
A jury was empanelled to hear the matter and State Counsel Marisa Edwards, who is prosecuting the case, told the court that the State intends to call 15 witnesses, including several community residents, members of the victim’s family, police officers, and a pathologist.
In outlining the State’s case, Edwards told the court that the prosecution will seek to prove that an incident occurred on November 19, 2023, at Amos Shop, in Port Mourant, Corentyne, during which Seegobin allegedly stabbed Mingo also called “Rambo” in the chest. The injury, the court heard, perforated the man’s heart and led to his death.

The State’s first witness, Parbattie Rangasammy, who operates the business along with her son, told the court that she had known the accused for several years and that he was a frequent visitor to the shop. However, when asked in court whether she could identify him, the woman said she was unable to do so.
Rangasammy related that on the day in question, Mingo and his brother were at the shop. She said she had asked the two men to leave because of their behaviour, but one of the brothers pushed her to the ground.
The witness said that when she got up, she went inside the building, and upon returning, she observed Mingo with what appeared to be blood coming from his body.
During cross-examination by defence attorney Suriya Sabsook, the witness told the court that she had wanted the brothers to leave the premises because she did not want customers to be harassed. She also testified that she had previously spoken to Mingo about his behaviour.

The witness further told the court that during the altercation her son armed himself with a cutlass after the younger of the two brothers allegedly attacked him. Apart from the three men involved, she said there was one other customer in the shop at the time.
Another witness, Amos Rangasammy, who also operates the business, later took the stand. He told the court that Mingo and his brother frequently visited the shop, which operates a Superbet outlet and also sells food and beverages.
Rangasammy said he saw his mother being pushed to the ground during the altercation and that Mingo attacked him. He told the court that he ran inside and armed himself with a cutlass.
However, when he returned, he said he saw one of the brothers partly covered in blood, while the accused was nowhere in sight.
The injured man was subsequently taken from the shop by his brother and placed into a car, which drove away.
The trial continues today.
It was previously reported that Mingo of John’s Settlement, Corentyne, died after he was allegedly stabbed during an altercation in the community on November 19, 2023. He was rushed for medical attention but later succumbed to his injuries.
Following investigations, Seegobin was arrested and later charged with murder. He was subsequently committed to stand trial at the High Court.