Trio on trial for 2017 murder of Demerara River vendor

A 12-member jury was on Monday empanelled to hear the trial of Chandrapaul Persaud, also called ‘Raju’ or ‘Duffy’; Heralall Ramdhan, also called ‘Baba’ or ‘Roshan’; and Jagishwar Dhanai, also called ‘Toto’, who are accused of murdering Dhanpaul Dookie, also called Pauline, back in 2017. This trial is being presided by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in the Demerara High Court.

In their arraignment, the trio pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that between July 24 and 26, 2017, at Uitspa Village in the Demerara River, they murdered Dhanpaul Dookie. It was reported that on the day in question, Dookie, then a 51-year-old vendor, was stabbed to death during a robbery.

It was reported that two of the suspects resided on the East Coast of Demerara and were employed by the late Dookie. The third was reportedly a resident of Uitspa village whom the two masterminds had allegedly contacted days before the murder.

Police have stated that the farmer had been stabbed twice to his abdomen, once to his lower back, once to his hip, once to his forehead, and once above his right eye. After committing the act, the suspects made their way into the man’s home, from whence they raided money and jewellery, among other items, before escaping.

However, after three days, the man’s body was found by persons who had gone to check on the cause of his absence. The Police were immediately contacted, and an investigation was launched, during which the three suspects were arrested and charged with the murder.

During the Preliminary Inquiry, the state had provided evidence against the trio beyond a reasonable doubt, and as such, they were committed to the High Court for trial.

The three suspects are represented by legal counsel, while Prosecutors Cicelia Corbin, Simran Gajraj and Rbina Christmas are presenting the state’s case. A 12-member jury was on Monday empanelled to hear the trial of Chandrapaul Persaud, also called ‘Raju’ or ‘Duffy’; Heralall Ramdhan, also called ‘Baba’ or ‘Roshan’; and Jagishwar Dhanai, also called ‘Toto’, who are accused of murdering Dhanpaul Dookie, also called Pauline, back in 2017. This trial is being presided by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in the Demerara High Court.

In their arraignment, the trio pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that between July 24 and 26, 2017, at Uitspa Village in the Demerara River, they murdered Dhanpaul Dookie. It was reported that on the day in question, Dookie, then a 51-year-old vendor, was stabbed to death during a robbery.

It was reported that two of the suspects resided on the East Coast of Demerara and were employed by the late Dookie. The third was reportedly a resident of Uitspa village whom the two masterminds had allegedly contacted days before the murder.

Police have stated that the farmer had been stabbed twice to his abdomen, once to his lower back, once to his hip, once to his forehead, and once above his right eye. After committing the act, the suspects made their way into the man’s home, from whence they raided money and jewellery, among other items, before escaping.

However, after three days, the man’s body was found by persons who had gone to check on the cause of his absence. The Police were immediately contacted, and an investigation was launched, during which the three suspects were arrested and charged with the murder.

During the Preliminary Inquiry, the state had provided evidence against the trio beyond a reasonable doubt, and as such, they were committed to the High Court for trial.

The three suspects are represented by legal counsel, while Prosecutors Cicelia Corbin, Simran Gajraj and Rbina Christmas are presenting the state’s case.