Jury hears that $1M ransom money disappeared
THE jury in the murder trial of Shawn Richardson, called ’Jungle Commando’ , yesterday heard  that  that although  a $1M ransom had been placed at a spot identified by alleged kidnappers, the money disappeared and the missing man  Vivekanand Nandalall (now dead) was never seen again. A mixed jury was empanelled yesterday to try the accused ‘Jungle Commando’ for murder of the 20-year old   Nandalall said to be committed between the October 16, 2003 and March 13, 2004.
Yesterday morning the accused, represented by Attorney-at-Law, Mrs. Clarissa  Riehl, a former Magistrate,  pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Appearing with Mrs. Riehl for the accused before Justice Dawn Gregory and a mixed jury is Miss  Emily Dodson, a lawyer.
The opening address to the jury was done by Miss  Konyo Sandiford.  Mrs. Judith Gildharie-Mursalin is the leading prosecutor.
The first witness to testify was Heeralall Kishore, the uncle  of the dead man.
KIshore  told the judge and jury about the day when his taxi-driver nephew left home and never returned.
According to him, on the following day, he received a call from his nephew’s cell phone. The caller requested a ransom  of $1M  for the return of his nephew.
KIshore said that he collected the sum of money; but before carrying  the cash  to the identified koker,  he showed it to the police   who sprayed the notes and placed marks on some of them .
Later, Kishore found the empty bag in which he had put the money, and his nephew never turned up.     
Following police investigations, the accused was arrested and charged with murder.
The prosecutor also told the jury that to prove this case the prosecution must prove all the ingredients of the offence of murder and that the accused caused  the death of  Vivekanand  Nandalall due to some voluntary act by the accused and the death of Nandalall resulted.
The hearing continues today.