Tuschen man faces retrial for Anna Catherina triple murder

Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo resident, 36-year-old Abishai Caesar is presently on trial before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a 12-member jury for the September 2012 murders of businesswoman Jennifer Persaud and her two sons. The trial is being conducted at the High Court in Demerara.
State Prosecutor Lisa Cave has indicted Caesar on three counts of murder. It is alleged that on September 24, 2012, at Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara (WCD), he murdered 41-year-old Persaud and her sons Afridi Bacchus, 6; and 18-month-old Jadon Persaud. The murder accused has pleaded not guilty.
It was reported that Persaud, who owned a liquor store and bar, along with her two sons were discovered in their home with their throats slit. The woman’s body was found on a bed with Afridi on top of her. Jadon, on the other hand, was found on the floor next to the bed.
Their bodies were said to be already in a state of decomposition, indicating that they were murdered about a day before the gruesome discovery was made. Except for the wardrobe that was out of order in the woman’s home, the remainder of the house was untouched.
Caesar was only apprehended by the Police in 2016 for the murders after his reputed wife, Zoey Phillips, told detectives that he had confided in her about killing the family. Based on media reports, the woman told Police ranks that on the night in question, Caesar left their Anna Catherina home.
Soon after, Phillips said that she heard screams coming from Persaud’s home which was located next to their residence. She claimed that moments after, Caesar returned home and confessed to her what he had done.
Phillips informed the Police that Caesar went to rob the woman but whilst doing go, she woke up and saw him.
Because she would be able to identify him, he was forced to attack her, killing her and her sons in the process.
After the killings, the couple continued living next to the now dead woman. They eventually moved out. Phillips had also told the Police that she was forced to keep quiet about the incident because Caesar was abusive. This is Caesar’s second trial for the murders. His first trial ended in a hung jury.