THE Prosecution on Tuesday closed its case against two men who are on trial for the execution-style murder of Lusignan hairdresser, Ashmini Hariram
Lennox Wayne called “Two Colours” and Melroy Doris, are on trial in the Georgetown High Court before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow and a 12-member jury.
It is alleged that on July 10, 2014 at Lusignan Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara, they murdered Hariram called Munesha Hariram. More than 16 witnesses were called by the State to testify; the prosecutors include Tameika Clarke and Shawnette Austin, while the defence attorneys are Nigel Hughes and Stanley Moore.
When asked to lead his defence, Wayne chose to remain in the prisoner’s box and stated that he is innocent of the charge since he did not shoot anybody. He told the court that he had filtered information to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) about his whereabouts on the day in question. Wayne said he was engaged in an activity with a Police Sergeant at Force headquarters after he received a call stating he must go in for details.
According to Wayne, when he got there, the allegation of murder was put to him by the police and he denied same. Wayne told the court that he was taken to Sparendaam Police Station and later transported to the Vigilance Police Station, where he was held before forcibly affixing his signature to a statement recorded by the police.
His lawyer, Nigel Hughes when asked by the trial judge if he had any witnesses, responded in the affirmative and called Detective Sergeant Satesh Roopnarine to take the stand on Wednesday. Roopnarine testified that during May 2015, he was stationed at Force headquarters attached to the Major Crimes Unit where he conducted the interview with Wayne and recorded a statement. When questioned by Hughes, the police witness said Wayne gave an alibi for the day in question but his whereabouts was not verified by the police.
Meanwhile, the number 2 accused, Melroy Doris was also asked to lead his defence and after conferring with his attorney, Stanley Moore, he chose to remain in the prisoner’s box. He told the court that he is innocent of the crime and he is relying on the statement he gave to the police.
His attorney said he has no witnesses and as such Justice Barlow told the court that the defence will present their closing addresses, followed by the State on Thursday at 09:30hrs.
Hairdresser’s execution
Wayne is alleged to be the triggerman, while Doris is alleged to be the taxi driver who drove him to the location and pointed out the 18-year-old, who was walking along the Lusignan Railway Embankment with a female friend.
It was reported that Wayne got out of the car and pointed a gun in the direction of Hariram and shot her to the head and after she fell to the ground, he took her cell phone and fled the scene. Following the act, Doris allegedly transported Wayne back to the city and collected the victim’s phone. It is alleged that the phone was handed over to one of two persons who contracted Wayne and Doris to carry out the murderous act for a price tag of $2.5 million.
The two men were reportedly contracted by a male relative of the hairdresser and an accomplice who wanted her dead after they suspected that she had snitched on them and informed the police of a drug operation they were engaged in, which resulted in seizure of the drugs by law enforcement officers.
