ALMOST one week after 52-year-old Parika businessman Seeram Singh was murdered outside his home, Kurt Thomas known as “Deportee” was yesterday arraigned before Magistrate Roshelle Liverpool,charged with murder. During his appearance at the Leonora Magistrates’ Court, Thomas, 48, of Hyde Park, Parika, was not required to plead to the capital charge, which alleged that on April 30, at Parika Outfall, East Bank Essequibo, he murdered Singh during the course of a robbery.
Thomas was unrepresented and was remanded to prison until June 20. According to reports, on April 30 at about 21:00hrs, Singh was walking along the roadway at Parika Outfall when a man came up from behind and shot him in the back.
After the businessman fell, the shooter reportedly stood over him and shot him to his chest and head before taking away two of his gold chains.
A .32 live round and a bullet casing of similar calibre were found at the scene. The businessman’s wallet, cellphone and gold rings were not taken.
Four days after the murder, police acted on information and arrested Thomas, who was positively identified during an identification parade. It was noted that gunpowder residue was found after a swab test was done on his hands. Checks at his home also discovered incriminating evidence.