THE jury in the Neesa Gopaul murder case heard on Wednesday that the 16-year-old Queen’s College student, who was killed in 2010 at Madewini on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, had also been a victim of sexual assault; and that her stepfather Jarvis Small and mother Bibi Gopaul were her alleged murderers.Justice Navindra Singh is presiding at the trial. Lawyers for the prosecution are Mrs. Kaulesar-O’Brien, Miss Stacy Goodings and Miss Mercedes Thompson; while appearing for the defence are Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos, Miss Zanno Frank and Mr. George Thomas.

Bibi Gopaul and Jarvis Small are jointly charged with the brutal murder of Neesa Gopaul, allegedly committed more than four years ago.

The pretty 16-year-old had allegedly told the police that her stepfather, murder accused Jarvis Small, had had sex with her. The girl was subsequently reported missing following that report, and her dead body had been found in a suitcase with dumbbells attached at Madewini, Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

Among other things, the defence is saying that the police cannot convincingly claim that the accused were Neesa’s murderers, nor can the police say where the murder had been committed.

The person who took the witness stand yesterday was Detective Superintendent Terrace Paul, who is now officer-in-charge of the Criminal Investigation Department in Berbice. He told the jury that during September 2010 he was stationed at Leonora Police Station. At about 8:00 hrs he was on duty when the number 2 accused, Bibi Gopaul, and her sister, Bibi Redman, turned up at the station and requested audience with him.

He said he invited them into his office, offered them a seat, and in the presence of the number 2 accused, her sister Bibi Redman told him that her niece, Neesa Gopaul, who is the daughter of the Number 2 accused, had been sexually assaulted by her stepfather Jarvis Small, known as Barry, the number one accused.

Witness said the Numbers 1 and 2 accused subsequently went to a JP to have the matter settled. They produced a witness who gave a statement to the effect that the previous claim made by the girl, of being sexually assaulted by the No. 1 accused, was faulty.

Witness said that on September 18, 2010, at about 16:00 hrs, he was driving his vehicle along the Anna Catherina, West Coast, Demerara public road when he saw the number 2 accused in a motor car going in an opposite direction. The Number 1 accused was sitting in the front seat, and Neesa Gopaul and her smaller sister were sitting in the rear seat.

Superintendent Paul said that on September 25, 2010, at about 7:00 hrs, he was at work when the accused visited the police station. According to him, she made a report about a missing person and left.

Witness said that on October 30, 2010, at about 6:00 hrs, he was on duty when he received certain information. As a result, he went to a house not far away, where he met the No. 2 accused. He said he cautioned her, telling her that he had reason to suspect that between September 23rd and October 3rd, 2010, she, in company with the No. 1 accused, murdered her daughter Neesa Gopaul. Witness said he cautioned her and she began to cry.

The hearing is continuing.

(By George Barclay)