–for want of sufficient evidence

THE murder charge against former South American beauty queen Carol Ann Lynch was discharged by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry yesterday on the basis of insufficient evidence.Lynch was charged for the second time, after the first case had been dismissed by then Magistrate Gordon Gilhuys for the same reason.
Particulars of the capital offence said that Lynch killed her husband, Farouk Razack on May 7, 2007, at Lot 106 Ireng Place, Bel Air Park, Georgetown, where the then Swiss House Cambio managing director was found dead.
She was represented by Attorney-at-Law Ms. Latchmi Rahamat, in association with other Attorney-at-Law, Mr. Peter Hugh. Police Corporal Bharat Mangru called a total of 17 witnesses to testify on behalf of the prosecution.
Yesterday, defence counsel Rahamat made her submission in the absence of the other Attorney, Mr. Hugh.
Rahamat said despite the prosecution called on 17 witnesses to testify, they failed to prove Razack was injured by Lynch and there is no nexus between the time left her home and when she returned.
She also mentioned that from the evidence of Carol’s niece, Mellissa Watson, and her daughter Selina Razack, prior to leaving the home on that morning, Carol and the two girls went into the room where Razack was sleeping.
She said from Watson’s evidence it was stated that Melbourne, the handyman who was left at home, had access to the couple’s house.
Counsel questioned that if her client was charged because she was present in the house then why wasn’t Melbourne charged and placed in the dock also.
The lawyer said that mostly from Watson’s evidence the court heard that there was a handyman present in the yard.
Counsel also made reference to the evidence by the technician Joseph Chung, stating that this witness installed a surveillance system at the couple’s home.
Prosecutor Mangru said all the witnesses testified on behalf of the prosecution were not discredited and the prosecution had proved that Razack died in one hundred and one of the injuries he suffered.

(By Geeta Rampersaud)