Prisoner testifies against former co-accused in murder case
MANSLAUGHTER convict Daywan Kawal called ‘Avinash’, who benefitted from a plea bargaining agreement and was sentenced to seven years imprisonment, became a key witness for the Prosecution against three other men with whom he was linked at the preliminary inquiry (PI). But while two of the trio were freed, the fourth accused, Burt Lancaster continues to face trial for the murder of Deonarine Sukhdeo, a taxi driver who was robbed and killed on April 19, 2006.
Defence Counsel Basil Williams had objected to Kawal testifying against his alleged former partner in the crime but Justice Dawn Gregory, at the Demerara Assizes, overruled the objection.
State Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford, in association with other State Counsel Diana Kaulesar, is appearing for the Prosecution.
Kawal testified that he had given three statements to the Police before making the third.
He said, under cross-examination, that Lancaster had given him some soft touches and that was the reason he did not speak the truth about the latter in the first and second statements.
Kawal said, at the outset he did not want to tell the truth about what Lancaster had done, because the man was also threatening him.
Witness said, when the accused first suggested to him that he should rob the victim, he had refused, but later agreed to carry out the attack.
He admitted that he had locked off Sukhdeo by the neck and stabbed him about the belly, as well.
The trial is continuing.