-DSP says suspect was released on DPP’s advice

WHEN the West Coast Demerara murder trial of the four accused, who allegedly killed their stepfather, Motilall Singh for US$700, continued yesterday, the chief investigator explained that a suspect was released on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Attorney-at-Law representing suspect Bissoondial Mahadeo, the number one accused, challenged the statement of the chief investigator DSP Terrence Paul that the suspect Keith Budhram who had received the money from stepdaughter Farida Khan to carry out the killing had been released on the instructions of the DPP.
The evidence was that Budhram, who was a policeman, admitted that after Khan told him about the killing job, he rejected it, but she threw the money in his bus and shouted ‘think about it.’
Because the suspect who was released was now a witness for the prosecution, defence attorney Glen Hanoman wanted to know from which source Budhram got his promotion.
The DSP explained that the suspect was released after giving a statement and pointed out that it was a result of advice from the DPP.
Hanoman wanted to know at what stage the advice to release was given by the DPP and after the DSP could not say, he called on the prosecutor, Mrs. Judith Gildharie-Mursalin for an explanation.
The prosecutor cited Archbold’s in support of her contention that the matter was a collateral issue and that counsel ought not to seek information in that direction.
Justice Navindra Singh overruled the question and held that the matter was ‘collateral.’
DSP Paul said that he was stationed at Leonora Police Station attached to the CID Office as Officer in Charge of ‘D’ Division.
Relative to a report of an alleged murder committed on September 7, 2009 on Motilall Singh at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara he conducted the investigations.
At about 06:00 hrs on September 7, 2009 he contacted the number five accused Hoosman Khan at his address at Lot 38, Second Street, Windsor Forest. He added: “I told him that it was alleged that on the said day he along with others murdered his stepfather, Motilall Singh at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara. I cautioned him and he said nothing.”
“At about 09:00hrs on the said morning, after conducting investigations I contacted the number two accused Bissoon Mahadeo called ‘Weedman’ at Fifth Street, Windsor Forest and I put the said allegation to him and I cautioned him. He also said nothing. I arrested both accused and I took them to Leonora Police Station.”
“At about 10:30hrs that very day I returned to Lot 38 Second Street where I contacted the number three accused Farida Khan and the number four accused Shameza Khan.“There I put the allegation to them and I cautioned them. They also made no reply. I arrested them and I took them to Leonora Police station where I placed them into custody.”
At about 13:00hrs on September 8, 2009 I contacted Ayube Hamid the number one accused at Lot 38, Second Street Winsdsor Forest, West Coast Demerara where I put the said allegation to him and I cautioned him. He remained silent. I arrested him and took him to Leonora Police Station and I placed him in custody.”
Further investigations were carried out and the accused were later charged with the offence of murder.
The hearing is continuing.

(By George Barclay)