A MIXED jury trying Morris Kowlesar, called ‘Little,’ for murder at the Demerara Assizes yesterday heard that following an altercation in a rum shop between them, ‘Little’ pushed Ganesh Rattan, called ‘Jukka’, from a pavilion to his death.This is according to prosecutrix Orienthia Schmidt in her opening address to Presiding Judge Madam Roxanne George and a mixed jury.
Following police investigations, ‘Little’ was arrested and charged with murder, allegedly committed on March 18, 2012 .
Lawyer Austin is assisting in the prosecution, while Attorney-at-Law Sandel Kissoon is defending.
The prosecutrix told the jury that murder is defined as the unlawful killing of one human being by another with the intention to kill, or to cause grievous bodily harm.
She said, “Members of the jury, the State has brought this case against the accused, and it is the prosecution that must prove to you, beyond a reasonable doubt, the guilt of the accused.
“This simply means the prosecution must prove to you, until you are satisfied to the extent that you are sure, that it was this accused that murdered the deceased, Ganesh Rattan, called ‘Jukka’.
“The accused has nothing to prove; he can remain silent throughout the trial, that is his right .”
According to her, “This is a case of murder; it is the State’s case that on the 18th of March, 2012, the accused was in an altercation with the deceased at a rum shop.
“The accused then went to a pavilion in a ball-field where the deceased was and pushed the deceased off the pavilion, thereby causing the deceased to fall to his death.
“Members of the jury, the State intends to call several witnesses to prove its case; they will tell you what they know about this matter.
“You are the sole judges of the facts in this matter; you are therefore expected to listen attentively to all that the witnesses say.
“Examine what they say, and how they say it; observe their demeanour or attitude when they are giving their evidence.
“And from this, you can decide whether you believe the witnesses evidence or not, or how much of the evidence you believe.
“Your role in this trial is simply to decide whether the accused is guilty or not guilty.”
Further hearing continues on Monday afternoon.

By George Barclay