– sentencing awaits probation reports

THE joint trial for Marisco George and John Caesar came to an end on Friday, as a 12 member jury returned after hours of deliberation, with two proportional guilty verdicts for the accused.

The duo was facing charges of attempted murder, and in the alternative, robbery with violence, in that, on the first count, on July 4th 2009 in the county of Demerara, the two accused caused grievous bodily harm on Dhanwantee Phulchand with intent to murder her.

And in the alternative, the same duo, on the aforementioned day, robbed Phulchand of GYD$572,000 in cash, one shirt and a lady’s purse and committed violence on Phulchand at the time of, immediately before or immediately after the robbery.

During the trial, State Prosecutor Abbigail Gibbs brought the victim herself to tell her story. In summary, both accused were known by the victim so they were easily identified by her on the ID parade. They entered her store that was located in the City Mall, under the pretext of coming in to buy. Whilst assisting with what they needed, Dhanwantee said she was attacked by Caesar and George assisted him. She was beaten mercilessly and robbed of the above mentioned items.

Dhanwantee said she is now left with a hole in her head, about six chop wounds and she is still affected by the injuries received from the attack.
In George’s case, the Jury came to an 11-1 and 10-2 guilty verdict, for attempted murder and robbery with violence, respectively. And for Caesar, two 11-1 guilty verdicts for both offences.

Justice Sandil Kissoon requested a probation report for both accused and the court will return on October 26th for the presentation of their reports by their counsels, after which, Justice Kissoon will hand down his sentence.

George is represented by attorney-at-law, Phillip Damien DaSilva and Caesar, by attorney-at-law, Brandon DeSantos.