The 2014 Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, attempted murder trial before Justice Sandil Kissoon started in the Georgetown High Court on Wednesday in which several witnesses testified.

Leading the state’s case is prosecutor Lisa Cave, who in her opening statement said that on November 4, 2014 at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, the accused Dereck Jaisingh allegedly attempted to murder Sherwin Hamilton and Welton Edwards.

She related that Sherwin Hamilton planned on visiting the accused to ask him why he had beaten his nephew, Raymond Hamilton, in company of their uncle, Welton Edwards and without saying a word they were shot.

Sherwin Hamilton received nine shots to his body while, his uncle Welton Edwards was shot twice, Cave said.

The prosecutor stated that the duo was taken to the hospital and were treated after which the accused was indicted.

Cave said the men were not robbers and they were unarmed when they went to enquire why the accused had beaten their relative since they had no problems.

The state called its first witness, Raymond Hamilton who in his evidence-in-chief said he knew the accused by seeing him since they both resided in the same village.

He recalled on the night in question at about 22:00hrs he was on his way home from work and went to a Chinese restaurant with the intention of buying two beers when he felt someone behind him.

The witness added that when he turned around he saw the accused who he said hit him and they had a scuffle after which he was then struck behind his head with a gun.

Hamilton told the court the incident took place in the eating house and the owner told them to go outside and fight after which he was assaulted.

The witness stated that at this point, he was on the ground in front the Chinese restaurant while, he was being beaten and began screaming for help then his brother, Sherwin Hamilton came to his aid.

Hamilton recalled that when his brother came he escaped to his home and about 30 minutes later he heard gunshots and sometime after he came out and saw his brother lying in front of the restaurant in a pool of blood and his uncle was in front of his house in a similar condition.

Under cross examination, defence counsel Nigel Hughes asked the witness if he was issued a medical certificate and he replied in the negative but said he made a report to the police a day after the incident.

When questioned if he was there to rob the accused, Hamilton said he was not and never ‘cooked up’ a story with his brother and uncle about him being beaten.

The second witness, Sherwin Hamilton called “Nasty Man” took the stand where he recalled that on the night in question he was at home when he heard his brother’s screams and went to assist him.

He said before he went to the scene he saw the accused, whom he pointed out in the courtroom, either sitting or stooping over his brother while beating him with a plastic chair.

Hamilton added at that time his sibling was on the ground and he went up to the accused and pushed him off his brother.

The witness said the accused then got up and snatched his jersey and lashed him on his head with a gun.

Hamilton said he then ran off and was a few feet away from the accused when he pointed a gun at him but he escaped and went to his uncle’s house a short distance away.

There he related what had happened to his uncle Welton Edwards and they both returned to the scene.

The matter continues on Thursday before the same judge where more witnesses are expected to testify.