By George Barclay

A MAN was freed of manslaughter Thursday at the Demerara Assizes after the three main witnesses who had testified at the preliminary inquiry into the case refused to give worthwhile evidence at the jury trial.Ramsammie, called “Laffie,” who was charged with the offence of unlawfully killing Rabindranauth Rajukamar called “Black eye” on October 20, 2005, was freed because of the lack of evidence against him.
The three witnesses who appeared before presiding judge Mr. Navindra Singh and a mixed jury were Joseph Mangroo, Sookram Rajkumar and Roopdai Rajkumar.
Roopdai came to court with the aid of a walking stick. Like the others, she too said that she had nothing to tell the court about the trial and declared that no one had threatened her or forced her to say or do anything.
All of the witnesses came from Farm Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara.
Following the witnesses’ testimony that they knew nothing, the judge, directing his remarks to the jury, told them: “There is no evidence, but because you were put in charge of the accused, I have to direct you to return a verdict of ‘not guilty’ in his favour.”
The registrar then enquired from the jury members what was their verdict and the collective answer was: “Not guilty.”
Lawyers Miss Narissa Leander and I. Dhurjon, prosecuted
Attorney-at-law George Thomas was defence counsel