Accused Shawn Thom & Orin David to face new trial

THE mixed jury that tried the accused, Shawn Thom and Orin David, for the murder of farmer Lakhram Bishundial in the Mahaica felony murder, disagreed late Friday on a verdict in the proportion of six to six.

As a consequence, presiding judge, Justice Franklyn Holder, discharged the jury and ordered the two accused to face retrial before another panel of jury at a next session. They were remanded to prison.
The accused were represented by Attorneys-at-Law Mr. Trenton Lake and Mr. George Thomas. Senior State counsel Mrs. Judith Mursalin conducted the case for the prosecution.

The State’s case is that on Friday, August 20, 2010, Totaram, brother of the now deceased Lakhram, had left his De Hoop, Mahaica home and had travelled to Georgetown with his cousin Seeta to do some shopping for his wedding.

Totaram withdrew $500,000 from the Demerara Bank before he left Georgetown for his De Hoop, Mahaica home. On his way to Mahaica, he stopped his brother Lakhram, who was travelling in a lorry, at Hope, ECD; and they were conversing when the two accused pulled up on a motor cycle, and one of them demanded ‘the bag with the money’. Lakhram apparently heard the demand and said something which incensed the robber, and he shot Lakhram.
The robbers then grabbed the money bag, which was in a pick-up nearby, and made good their escape.

The two accused who were identified as the robbers were later arrested and charged. At their trial, they pleaded not guilty.

(By George Barclay)