MAGISTRATE Judy Latchman is expected to make a ruling today in the matter against a bus driver who is accused of causing the death of a suspected thief, whom he allegedly struck off a motorcycle during a chase.Mahendra Moonsammy, 29, of Barr Street, Kitty is accused of driving a vehicle dangerously and hitting Devon Forde’s motorcycle on January 15, 2015, in Kitty.
Forde was hospitalised and succumbed four days later. The bus driver was granted $125,000 bail by former Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
Moonsammy was informed of his judgment day, when the matter was called at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. Both the prosecution and Moonsammy’s lawyer, Mr Mandan Kissoon made their closing submissions. As such the matter was adjourned so that Magistrate Latchman could hand down her decision.
On January 15, 2015 at Barr Street, Kitty around 04:30hrs, Moonsammy was at home when he heard an alarm go off. He made checks outside and saw a man next to his vehicle. Upon seeing the defendant, the man jumped onto his motorcycle and sped away. The accused gave chase with his minibus which eventually collided with the motorcycle.
Forde was knocked off the motorcycle and suffered injuries which led to him being taken to the hospital. He died while receiving medical treatment.
On September 5, last, Forde along with two others were granted $100,000 bail. The men were accused of hijacking a businessman’s car at Cross Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, on August 31, last.
According to information received, the trio had reportedly trailed Ramanand Jagdeo from Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara, and caught up with him on Cross Street, near Guytrac, where he had stopped to talk to a friend.
They then approached Jagdeo and pulled him out of his car which had more than $1.2 million in goods and $300,000 in cash. A day after the robbery, police arrested Forde and his alleged accomplices and the vehicle was recovered in Sunflower Avenue, South Ruimveldt.
The hijackers were positively identified by police officers who had viewed a business entity’s surveillance camera which recorded how Jagdeo was pulled out of the vehicle before escaping.