ALMOST one week after 26-year-old Wakenaam businessman Mahendra Persaud had been shot and killed by bandits on a motorcycle, Rawle Vieira was yesterday arraigned for his murder before the Chief Magistrate. Vieira was not required to plead to the capital offence, which alleged that on April 19, at Alexander Street, Georgetown, he murdered Persaud during the course of a robbery.

Unrepresented by legal counsel, Vieira was remanded until May 16, and his matter was transferred before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

Police fingered Vieira in the crime after CCTV footage reviewed from nearby stores showed him driving motor vehicle PVV 3157 as it trailed Persaud’s truck, shortly before a pillion rider on a CG motorcycle shot the businessman.

Vieira had taken Persaud to the Georgetown Public Hospital after driving over him; but he then reportedly instructed a mechanic to remove the licence plates from the vehicle he was driving.

Police are seeking advice to ascertain whether the mechanic should also be charged. The pillion rider who shot Persaud is yet to be arrested.

According to reports, Persaud, who resided at Lot 22 Good Success, Wakenaam, was attacked by a gunman at about 10:45hrs on April 19. A struggle ensued, resulting in Persaud receiving a single shot to the neck. Another businessman, who was nearby, opened fire on the bandit, but the gunman fled the scene empty-handed with his accomplice on a motorcycle.

Persaud fell from the wound he had received, and was run over by Vieira’s car. Vieira then reportedly put Persaud in the car and proceeded to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where Persaud was pronounced dead on arrival.

Vieira then vanished, leaving the vehicle in the hospital compound; but he reportedly sent another man, along with a mechanic, to change the licence plates of the vehicle. The two men were, however, caught in the act and were arrested.