TWO men were remanded to prison on Tuesday for the murder of 76-year-old David Ramkissoon who was found with his throat slit in his Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home on August 21.Sherwin Clerk, 27, of Lot 100, South Better Hope, ECD and Godfrey Gill, 22, of Lot 65 Prince William Street Plaisance, ECD were charged jointly and remanded to prison by Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul during their appearance at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

According to the prosecution’s case, on the day in question the victim was at home when the two defendants along with two others invaded the home and robbed him, while one of the suspects slit his throat. The matter was reported to the police after relatives returned from the creek.

Prosecutor David Goodridge said that police subsequently received certain information about the two accused since there was a dispute about dividing the loot. As a result police were tipped off and the accused were arrested and were told of the allegation.

Police had initially arrested Annand Ramkissoon, son of the deceased; his employer and another person in connection with the murder, but they were subsequently released.

Detectives who visited the scene on the day of the murder saw footprints in the mud at the back of the pensioner’s yard leading to an alleyway. They also spotted drops of blood that led straight to a shack located a short distance from the slain man’s home.

Robbery charges
Meanwhile, the duo was also jointly charged for a robbery that occurred on August 16, 2016 where Branton Charles was robbed of one Samsung Galaxy cell phone valued $100,000, one pair of sneakers valued $7,000, one Dell laptop valued $60,000 and $120,000 in cash. They pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution explained that both defendants attacked Charles when he left the Plaisance Guinness bar. The victim later reported the incident and identified the perpetrators.

It is also alleged that Sherwin Clerk on September 7, 2016 at Better Hope, ECD robbed Abigail Thornhill of one gold chain valued $100,000 and one Iphone 5S valued $85,000. He pleaded not guilty. Clerk was unrepresented while Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd represented Godfrey Gill.

In addressing the court the attorney said that the only evidence against his client is a caution statement. He told the court that the accused was in custody since Friday last and was beaten in the abdomen while in custody at the Vigilance Police Station.

The lawyer said that he had requested medical attention for his client but this was not done. However, the prosecution disputed the allegations and noted that there is a medical certificate to prove otherwise.

According to the prosecution, Clerk was previously charged before with larceny and the cased was dismissed because the virtual complaint died.