THE October session of the Demerara Criminal Assizes opened on Tuesday, October 01, 2019 with 322 cases listed for trial.

At present, three Judges are on rotation at the Demerara Assizes, with Justices Sandil Kissoon, Jo-Ann Barlow dealing with murder cases and Justice Simone Morris Ramlall presiding over matters in the Sexual Offences Court.

Jail delivery was done on Monday by Justice Morris Ramlall, bringing to an end the June session. Of the cases listed, 116 are for sexual offences, including rape, carnal knowledge and buggery.

Listed for trial is Muslim scholar Nezaam Ali, who is currently serving a 45-year sentence for raping a nine-year-old boy.

Ali will go on trial for eight additional counts of sexually abusing eight boys. He is facing multiple indictments for crimes allegedly committed between 2011 and 2012, including sexual activity with a child under 16 years and sexual activity with a child by abusing a position of trust.

Another well-known case is former Bishops’ High School teacher, Coen Jackson, who is set to go on trial for engaging in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16, while being in a position of trust. He is currently out on bail.
Another case that is currently in the spotlight is well known transgender personality, Otis Pearson, popularly known as ‘Otisha’, who is enlisted to answer to a rape charge involving a minor.

Meanwhile, for the capital offence of murder, former Guyana Defence Force captain, Orwain Sandy will go on trial for the murder of his reputed wife in 2018.
Sandy, used his serviced gun and opened fire at Payne during a domestic dispute. A post-mortem report revealed that Payne died from 14 gunshot wounds to her body– 13 to her chest and one to the head.

Ex-policeman Colin Bailey will go on trial for the murder of his common-law wife, businesswoman Sirmattie Ramnaress. He will be tried jointly with his co-accused, Colin Grant.

Ramnaress was found dead on the morning of August 31, 2013 with a stab wound and injuries to her head and body in the garage of her Diamond home. While petrol had been thrown all over her house, it was the bond at the back of the yard that was set alight and destroyed. The woman’s body was discovered after the fire service had been called about the fire.

Also, businessman Robert Benn will go on trial for the murder of 24-year-old Colin Perreira and the attempted murder of his girlfriend, Gail-Ann Chachon.
Four men are also set to go on trial for the murder of Foulis, East Coast Demerara businessman, Rajendra Singh.

Currently on remand are : Doenauth Katwaru, also known as ‘Pumpkin’; ‘Doodnauth Katwaroo’ or ‘Doodnauth Ketwaru’; Tony Christopher Thomas, also known as ‘Mataran’, ‘Matteron’, ‘Job’ or ‘Fix Up; Michael Lewis called ‘Michael Joseph’, ‘Jet Lee’, ‘J- Ice or ‘Mikey and Adony James called ‘Don.

Meanwhile Mark Lowchee called Mark Lee is finally expected to face trial in the September 21, 2003 murder of Collis DeAbreu at Fifth and Light Streets, Alberttown, Georgetown.
In the October Assizes, four prisoners are mentally challenged; one of whom is Brenda Ferreira who will be on trial for the murder of her three-year-old son in 2018.
In the list, 11 prisoners are requesting early trial, including Regan Rodrigues, called ‘Grey Boy,’ who is charged with the murder of political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing.
The bullet-riddled body of Crum-Ewing was found at Third Avenue, Diamond New Scheme, EBD, on March 10, 2015. The 40-year-old was shot twice to the temple, once to the back of the head and twice to the stomach.

The political activist was well-known for his one-man protest outside the office of former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall. Minutes before he was gunned down, he was reportedly heard via a bullhorn urging residents of the neighbourhood to vote against the then ruling PPP/C party.