Pathologist in Ogle 4-man murder trial says…
SENIOR Government Bacteriologist and Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, who performed a post mortem on the body of murdered taxi driver Teddy Smith in 2004, told the Judge and jury on Monday that the 33-year-old Smith died from perforation of  the lung and heart  caused by multiple stab wounds.

The doctor was testifying in the Ogle 4-man murder trial before Justice Brassington Reynolds and a mixed jury after being called by Leading Prosecutor Mr. Ganesh Hira, who,  in association with lawyers Miss Latchmie Rahamat and Miss Rhondel Weever, is appearing for the Prosecution.

Dr. Singh testified that he performed the post mortem on October 29, 2004.  Upon external examination,  he found 14 incised wounds and abrasions on the body.

According to him, the incised wounds were inflicted by sharp cutting instruments such as a knife, dagger, or a sharpened piece of metal.

The doctor said the spindle-shaped incised wounds were on  the face, neck, chest and arm.

He attributed the cause of death as perforation of the lung and heart due to multiple stab wounds.

The three defence counsels,  with Mr. Hukumchand  holding the brief for lawyer Euclin Gomes, who left the country hurriedly last week and was expected back yesterday, declined to cross-examine the doctor.

On the resumption on Monday, Police Corporal Roland Beharry, who testified on Saturday last, was further cross-examined.

In answer to the jury, witness said that after finding number one accused Paul Jagnandan hiding in a wardrobe at his mother’s home, he enquired from him (Jagnandan) the reason for his hiding.

Witness said that Jagnandan told him that he went into hiding because he did not know who was knocking at the door.

Last Saturday’s sitting was due to the fact that presiding Judge Mr. Brassington Reynolds invoked that aspect of the law which provides for Saturday work, to speed up the hearing of the case which had overrun the time for the conclusion of the January sessions.

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Mr.  Carl Singh had moved to stop the April Sessions from being opened on April 6, and extended the January sessions to Tuesday next,  in order to prevent two sessions being held at the same time.

Mr.  Gomes, who was expected back in Guyana  yesterday, has, with the wishes of his client Paul Jagnandan, agreed that Attorney-at-law Mr. Hukumchand, representing Vijay Rajkumar called `Eon’, should also represent Jagnandan, during his absence.

As planned, Mr. Gomes returned  to the country yesterday, almost simultaneously with another Notice from the Acting Chancellor, pointing out  the January Criminal Sessions has been further extended to Monday April 19th.. The April sessions is expected to be opened on Tuesday April 20.  Mr. Gomes is back in Court, representing his client, the number one accused, Paul Jagnandan.

The jury in the Ogle murder trial  heard that the four accused had robbed and killed taxi driver Teddy Smith on the night of October 24, 2004.

This allegation was contained in two alleged  caution statements said to be given to the police by accused Christopher Dhanrad called Paul Jagnandan and Vijay Rajkumar called ‘Eon’.

The jury was told that the men from Cummings Lodge, Squatting Area, had left their home on the East Coast of Demerara on the day in question for the Demico Car Park where they retained the taxi, driven by Teddy Smith for duties on the East Coast of Demerara.

The accused, all  17 years old, are represented by Mr. Hukumchand, Miss Kamini Parag, Mr. Euclin Gomes and Mr. Adrian Thompson.

L/Cpl.  Kurt Williams of  Sparendaam Police Station was one of the witnesses who testified yesterday.

According to him, following the incident that led to the killing of Teddy Smith, he had dusted Teddy Smith’s car for finger prints and had uplifted a number of prints from the car which he had mounted on four finger prints cards and given to Inspector Wright to sign.

But because of the inconsistent answers the witness had  given under cross-examination, the cards could only be entered  for identification purposes only.

Williams, who had testified that he mistakenly did not sign the cards,  also said under cross-examination that the cards were signed by Wilson and not Wright.

The witness also said that he gave evidence in the matter at the Preliminary Inquiry before the magistrate, where based on his recollection, he had given the cards to Wright and saw him sign same.

Then, after being shown the cards,  he further explained that Wright might not have signed as he thought, and might have given the cards with the finger prints  to Wilson for him to affix his signature.  Witness said that he was not familiar with Wilson’s signature, but had identified his signature on one of the cards.

Further hearing continues today.