FOUR alleged murderers who were on trial for the robbery and killing of 68-year old Budhia, called “Rhanie,” in October 2008, were all freed by a Demerara Assizes jury on Wednesday.

Following the jury’s verdict of not guilty, Presiding Judge Mr. Navindra Singh, discharged the accused – Nigel Sookram, 32; Steve Sookdeo c/d “Coolie Boy”, 27; Roy Anthony Sewnaraine, 21, and Vishaul Seecharan c/d ‘Marlie, 21.
They all hail from Herstelling, East Bank, Demerara and had maintained their innocence from the beginning.
Prosecutrix was Mrs. Judith Mursalin and defence lawyers were Mr. Huckumchand, Miss Sonia Parag and Mr. Raymond Ali.
The trial had commenced on October 17th, 2014.
Yesterday morning, Presiding judge, Mr. Navindra Singh summed up the evidence to the jury in just over two hours before handing over the case to them for their consideration and verdict.
The jury took over three hours to reach their unanimous verdict.
The accused were charged with the murder of 68-year-old Budhia called “Rhanie” on October 20th 2008 at Lot ‘F’ Conservancy Dam, Canal No. 2 Polder, West Bank Demerara.
The state had called nine witnesses, including Government Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh.
Three voir dires were held by the trial judge and upon conclusion, caution statements given by Steve Sookdeo, Roy Sewnarine and Vishaul Seecharan were ruled as freely and voluntarily given by them.
In these statements the three accused stated that they and the No. 1 accused, Nigel Sookram, planned to rob the house at Canal No. 2 and they went to that location where they carried out the plan.
Daughter of the deceased, Basmattie Rampersaud, testified that she was awakened on the night in question by her mother screaming. She rushed to her mother’s bedroom where she saw Nigel Sookram, Steve Sookdeo and Vishaul Seecharan tying up her mother with duct tape.
Basmattie Rampersaud screamed. They tied her up also – demanded cash and jewellery and threatened to rape her 13-year old daughter when she said they did not have more money.
They took over $1 million in jewellery plus $150,000 – GC, US $120 and Canadian $110.00 .
Nigel Sookram & Steve Sookdeo were picked out from identification parades by Basmattie Rampersaud.
Confrontations were also held between Steve Sookdeo and Nigel Sookram and Roy Sewnarine and Nigel Sookdeo.
Both Sookdeo and Sewnarine said Sookram had planned the robbery. Sookram denied.
The cause of death given by Dr. Singh was asphyxiation due to compression injuries to the neck.
All four accused gave unsworn statements from the dock in which they claimed they were beaten by the police.
Counsel for the defence and the prosecution addressed the jury on Tuesday afternoon — the defence requesting a not guilty verdict and the prosecution calling for a verdict inconsistent with the evidence and the oath they had taken.