AN ex-police Sergeant accused of conspiring to murder businessman Mohamed F. Khan, yesterday appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates Court to face criminal charges.Leon Lindo, who hails from Lot 220 Belle West, Canal No. 2, West Bank Demerara, was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Particulars of the charge stated that Lindo, between July 8 and 10, 2014, at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), Eve Leary, Georgetown, conspired with Lennox ‘Two colours’ Wayne and others to murder the popular businessman.
According to the prosecution, Lindo was a serving member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the deceased was a businessman. The court heard that Khan was shot between July 8 and 10, 2014 and he went missing on August 21. Later on September 22, 2014, a headless body was found at a dam in Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.
A DNA test was carried out on samples taken from the body and the result revealed that it was Khan’s. Lindo was arrested on the basis of statements given by Wayne, that a plot had been hatched between him and the accused to murder Khan. Further investigations were carried out and advice was sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) before Lindo was charged.
Police prosecutor Bharat Mangru opposed bail on grounds of the seriousness of the offence and the penalty it attracts. Mangru further cited the possibility that Lindo may pose a flight risk, should bail be granted.

According to the prosecution, 31 witnesses are listed to testify. However, the Chief Magistrate set a date for report after she instructed that the file be sent to the DPP.
Attorney for the accused, Ms Daniels, told the court that her client is married with three children and had served the GPF for 23 years. She added that throughout the investigation Lindo had cooperated fully with the police and that he has no intention of fleeing the jurisdiction. She also noted that the offence is a bail-able one.
The prosecution’s objection to bail was upheld and the matter was deferred to June 12, for report and fixture.
Wayne, of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, has been charged jointly and is on remand for the murder of Lusignan cosmetologist, Ashmini Harriram.

By Geeta Rampersaud