SHOPKEEPER Beverly Persaud and mason Oswald Junior Yaw, also known as Leow or Jason, of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, who are separately charged with the murder of Persaud’s husband, Herstelling Block Maker Nathan Persaud, made their second court appearance yesterday before Georgetown Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Police Prosecutor Sargent Neville Jeffers requested of the magistrate that the separate charges be withdrawn and a joint charge instituted.

The application was granted, and the joint charge was instituted. It read that Yaw, on September 10, 2015, at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, murdered Nathan Persaud in pursuance of a financial arrangement with Beverly Persaud to murder her husband. The two persons were not required to plead to the charge. They were further remanded, and will make their next court appearance on October 20.

Nathan Persaud’s bloodied body was discovered lying face down in his house at Lot 66 Herstelling New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara on September 10 last. The body bore a stab wound to the chest, and the back of his head was bashed in. Police recovered from the crime scene a hammer, two knives and a piece of rock, all of which had blood stains.
Yaw was later arrested at a city location, and reportedly confessed to beating the block maker to death with a hammer. He allegedly stated that he was promised $1.7M to kill Persaud. He had reportedly collected $30,000 and a further $35,000 in advance.

After Nathan Persaud was killed, the accused was reportedly paid $10,000 and promised $100,000 in weekly payments.

(Clestine Juan)