JAINARINE BALGOBIN, called “Payo”, of Lot 370 Belvedere Squatting Area, Corentyne, East

Berbice, was on Monday remanded to prison when he appeared before New Amsterdam Magistrate Alex Moore to answer to a charge of murder.

The 39-year-old not required to plead to the indictable charge, and was remanded to prison until December 12, 2016.

Balgobin is accused of beheading his 53-year-old neighbour Bhumattie Delall, called “Mommy Gold, last Wednesday moments after threatening to kill her. After committing the act, the accused reportedly took the murder weapon, a cutlass which was over 50 years old, back to the mandir from whence he had taken it, and placed it in front of the murti of ‘Master’.
He reportedly told ranks who arrested him that he was ordered to kill the woman by “Master”, a deity in Madras customs.

In court, the barefooted accused stood staring blankly, and while being led out, a curious bystander asked him if he had committed the act; to which he replied “Yes!” but quickly changed it to “Me nah know”.

Neighbours told Guyana Chronicle that Balgobin started to behave disorderly about a month ago, and was taken to a medical doctor who recommended that he receive psychological help; but his relatives paid no heed.

“When Payo been a trip out mo bad last month time, them ker am a wan doctor who tell dem fuh ker am a mental, but dem nah do nothing. Now he kill somebody.”

The victim’s family is contending that Balgobin knew fully what he had done, and should face the full force of the law.