Father of murdered son saw 2 accused jump fence
SEVENTY-seven-year-old Frank Santi, whose son, Vishnu Santi, was allegedly killed in a robbery/murder on July 27th 2005, yesterday told the Demerara Assizes jury that, after the shooting, he saw the two accused jumped the fence in a bid to escape. But this dramatic statement was described by defence lawyer George Thomas as a tissue of lies, and was suggested to be new evidence.
Thomas asked the witness why he did not tell this to the police during their investigations, and to the magistrate at the preliminary inquiry.
The witness maintained that he did give the information to the police, and had referred to the matter at the preliminary inquiry.
But, upon investigation, it was discovered that the matter about seeing the two accused jumping over the fence into the neighbour’s yard after the shooting that night was the advent of new evidence.
Witness then explained that if he did not refer to the jumping over the fence in an escape bid in the magistrate’s court, it was because he was not asked; but he declared that he was sure he had discussed that matter with the police, pointing out that he and the police were also looking at the foot prints from the jump.
The witness declared that he could not be mistaken about the accused, whom he knows well, because they grew up in the same area.
Leading prosecuting counsel, Mrs Judith Gildharie-Mursalin, who is conducting the case in association with Miss Renita Singh, said that the important evidence was what was led in the present court, and not what was said before the magistrate.
She also explained that the 77-year-old man, who has a hearing problem, should be given an opportunity to be heard.
At one stage, Justice Franklyn Holder, presiding, intervened to find out why the witness did not make the important statement about his seeing the accused running away from the scene when he was giving his evidence in the magistrate’s court. The witness said he was worried, and it might have slipped him then.
In answer to further cross-examination, the witness agreed that when he gave evidence before the magistrate years ago, the matter would have been fresher in his mind.
The accused, Peter Ray Kassim, called ‘Donkey’, and Satanand Sahadeo, called ‘Boyso’, are indicted with the offence of murder and robbery committed on Vishnu Santi.  Attorney-at-Law Huckumchand is representing Kassim, while Attorney-at-Law George Thomas is appearing for Sahadeo.
The hearing is continuing.