THE preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murder charge against Neesa Gopaul murder accused, her mother Bibi Shareema Gopaul and stepfather, Jarvis Small, commenced yesterday.

Three witnesses were called during the proceedings conducted by Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

The Court commended Police Inspector Robert Tyndall after he informed that he was ready to start and six witnesses were available.

Lance Corporal Anourudh Bissoon, from the La Grange Police Station, West Bank Demerara, was the first to testify and the second was Special Constable  Jennifer Sumrah from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of Leonora Police Station, West Coast Demerara.

The other witness who gave evidence yesterday was CID Detective Constable  Keisha Douglas, also from La Grange Police Station.

The Prosecution was about to tender a medical certificate in relation to the victim but Defence Counsel Mishka Puran, for accused Gopaul, objected.

She argued that the document has no relevance because the accused is not charged for what is revealed in it.
Puran also submitted that it is prejudicial to the case.
In response, Prosecutor Tyndall said the Prosecution is basing its case on circumstantial evidence and the certificate is relevant to it.

CIRCUMSTANCES
He said, although the accused are not charged for what is in the report, the Prosecution has to look at all the circumstances which resulted in the death of Neesa Gopaul.

Tyndall said the certificate will help the Prosecution build its case and he hopes that the Court accepts it, as a major part of the presentation.

The Prosecutor cited an authority on circumstantial evidence and said the murder has surrounding circumstances.

He pointed out that the lawyer was given the opportunity to cross-examine the witness but declined.
Tyndall added that the Prosecution will be looking at every threat to and every medical certificate issued about the deceased, to show how the unlawful killing occurred and the reason it happened.

The magistrate is to rule on the objection when the PI resumes tomorrow, until then the duo facing the charge for the capital offence were further remanded to prison.
The prisoners first appeared in Court on October 8 and it is alleged that, September 24 and October 2, at Madewini, along Soesdyke/Linden Highway, they murdered the former Queen’s College (QC) student.

Her dead body was found stuffed in a suitcase in the Madewini Creek near Emerald Tower Resort and, at the time, she was believed to be headless.

However, a post mortem examination established that the head had been battered beyond recognition.