At Berbice Assizes…
JUSTICE Dawn Gregory-Barnes, on Wednesday, ordered a psychiatric evaluation of murder accused Gowkarran Ramdayal, after he failed to respond to her questions at the Berbice Assizes. He also remained mum when asked, by the Clerk of Court, thrice, whether his name is Gowkarran Ramdayal.
But the accused nodded when State appointed Defence Counsel Charrandas Persaud enquired if he wanted to be represented by him.
However, when the Clerk, again, put a question to the prisoner, he stood speechless.
The judge then told the accused: “If you respond, your trial will commence but, as for now, the case is in limbo, as you have not uttered a word.
“I have ordered a psychiatric evaluation and, based on its findings, we will know what to do about this matter.”
Consequently, jurors were not selected.
Last November 30, Ramdayal had made a previous Court appearance and was also unresponsive to the presiding judge.
On that occasion, the State had assigned attorney-at-law Mr. Perry Gossai as Defence Counsel and he had suggested that the prisoner be evaluated by a psychiatrist, to determine Ramdayal’s mental condition.