At Berbice Assizes…
THE trial of Eric Sookshine, who is accused of killing his wife, commenced with the evidence of his father-in-law, before Justice Winston Patterson at the Berbice Assizes.

Premnauth Permaul, called Boy, who was led in his evidence in chief by State Counsel Dionne Mc Cammon, recounted that on June 3, 2005, on receipt of a message from a lad, he proceeded to the house where his daughter, Jashorda Sookshine, alias Usha , lived .

On arrival there, he observed the accused, who is his son-in-law, along with his daughter lying on the floor of the kitchen with what appeared to be blood stains on their clothing.

The witness told the Judge and the mixed jury that he called both persons, but they did not respond. As a result, he made a complaint at the Whim Police station, where ranks accompanied him to the scene. However, on his return, he did not see the accused. He only saw his daughter.

The motionless body was taken to the Port Mourant Hospital, where five days later, a post mortem examination was conducted. The remains was buried on June 9, 2005.

Cross examined by Senior Counsel Marcel Crawford, the witness replied, “After the police charged the accused, I went to live in the accused home with my reputed wife, who happens to be the sister of the man in the dock.”

Replying to questions form the jury, Permaul said he took three quarters of an hour to return from the station after making the report.

Another witness, Retired Lance Corporal Paul David recalled contacting the accused at the Central Police station where he was stationed.

According to the former sleuth, he put the allegation under caution to the accused who replied. “I was at home in company with my wife, and Mark stabbed me in my belly with a knife. I had a blackout and awoke in the hospital. I did not kill my wife”.

In response to questions from Senior Counsel, the ex- policeman described himself as a good detective. However, he acknowledged that the incident took place seventeen miles from New Amsterdam, and that he had put the allegation to the suspect as a result of information received from either a sergeant of police or the Officer in charge of crime.

Nevertheless, the witness did not think it was prudent to solicit a statement from the informant prior to putting the allegation to the accused.

David agreed that he was putting information to the accused without knowing whether it was true and correct.

He agreed that he did not enquire who Mark was, nor did he ask the accused to show him his injuries.

The former sleuth confessed of knowing Mark Bangroo of Whim, who was arrested in connection with this case having being kept in police custody for five days.

However, the witness said he had no knowledge as to whether Bangroo was having an amorous relationship with the wife of the accused, who is now deceased.

In her opening address to the jury, State Counsel Dionne Mc Cammon said the State’s case is based on circumstantial evidence.

On the morning of June 3, 2005, Jashorda Sookshine, was found motionless on her kitchen floor with her clothing having what appeared to be blood stains.

The police was summoned and a cutlass, believed to be the murder weapon was found three feet away from the body. The body was examined by Government Pathologist Dr Vivikanand Brijmohan and the cause of death was recorded as shock and haemorrhage along with stab wounds to the heart.
The case is continuing