–as robbery/rape of lactating mother trial continues

STATE Prosecutor in a robbery and rape trial, Ms Renita Singh, may be forced to close the prosecution case, after her final witness, Dr Mahase Chandra Persaud, reportedly indicated that he would be out of the jurisdiction for six weeks.

The medical practitioner is expected to explain the medical terminologies written on a certificate earlier tendered as an exhibit in the trial, currently being heard before Justice Brassington Reynolds at the Berbice Assizes.
Given the nature of the expert’s evidence, however, Justice Reynolds has opined that the case could be stalled until mid-June, while another trial could be imposed in the interim.
But before that decision could be made, he said, the State Prosecutor must confirm with her superiors as to the way forward.
On trial is Beesham Gopaul, alias Thakoor, who is alleged to have robbed and raped a lactating mother at her Corriverton, Corentyne home on June 24, 2008.
Earlier in the trial, Rural Constable Rowena Craig , told the 11-member jury that she was instructed to take the alleged victim to the Skeldon and New Amsterdam Hospitals before returning to the former.
Craig said that on her first visit to the Skeldon Hospital, she was told that the doctor was at lunch; and that after travelling over 40 miles to the New Amsterdam institution, she was told to return to Skeldon.
She said that it was only after she returned to Skeldon that the doctor examined her charge, and issued her a certificate.
Questioned by Defence Counsel, Carolyn Artiga, the witness said the doctor had instructed the victim to undergo a pregnancy test, as well as tests for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. She said, however, that she couldn’t say whether the accused had had similar tests done in terms of sexually transmitted diseases.
Responding to questions from the jury, the witness said after being told by staff at the New Amsterdam Hospital that there were no gynaecologists available, she subsequently went to the Springlands Police Station where she was advised by the Station Sergeant on duty to go back to the Skeldon Hospital.
The trial is continuing.

(By Jeune Bailey-Vankeric)