TWENTY-year-old Vickram Persaud, called “Lil John”, of La Grange, West Bank Demerara, accused of the unlawful killing of 29-year-old Tactical Services Unit (TSU) rank Michael Cumberbatch, was yesterday remanded to prison when he appeared before Georgetown Magistrate Faith McGusty and was not required to plead to the indictable offence, allegedly committed on Monday, September 23, at North Sophia Squatting Area, Greater Georgetown.

No facts were read in open court.

The accused told the court, “I know nothing about this murder!” He added that he was beaten by the police and shocked repeatedly. He said he had never previously seen the deceased police rank, but was taken to the scene where the incident took place for people to see his face and for the police to conduct an identification parade. And he said he was taken to Diamond Police Station.

Persaud said that after police had ceased beating him, a CID rank took a video of him and edited it, since they had 72 hours in which to detain him, and now they are denying his accusations.

Police corporal Seon Blackman requested three weeks to prepare his file, which was sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.

The father of two children, who operates a poultry business, was remanded to prison until October 17, when the case will call again before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

According to the reports, the deceased had suffered two gunshots injuries at close range, in the neck and in the chest, shortly after 21:00hrs, following a brief exchange of words when he ordered a man off his property.

Cumberbatch had ventured out of his house to answer an enquiry from the shooter, who was looking for another man.
When he succumbed at the GPH, loud wails erupted from a crowd that had gathered as word spread about his death.