THE trial of murder accused, Curt Thomas, called “Deportee”, commenced on Monday with the testimony of three police witnesses.
Thomas, 52, formerly of Hyde Park, Parika, East Bank Essequibo, pleaded not guilty to the capital indictment when he appeared before Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed jury at the High Court.

It is alleged that Thomas, on April 30, 2016, at Parika Outfall, murdered 52-year-old fuel dealer and businessman Seeram Singh, during the course or furtherance of a robbery.
The State is being represented by prosecutors Tuanna Hardy and Tyra Bakker, while attorney-at-law Lyndon Amsterdam is representing Thomas.
The trial commenced with the testimony of Sergeant Keon DeSouza, who tendered a total of seven photographs which showed the injuries Singh received on his body.
Also testifying was Corporal Damion Williams, who arrested Thomas, and Delon Young, a police officer stationed at the Parika Police Station who responded to the crime scene on the day in question.

The trial will continue today.
The Guyana Chronicle had reported that on April 30, 2016, around 21:00 hours, Singh was walking along the roadway at Parika Outfall when he was pounced upon by an armed man.
Singh was reportedly shot in the back and fell onto the ground, and as he lay there, the gunman discharged two more rounds, hitting him in the head and chest, before relieving him of the two gold chains he was wearing and making good his escape.
By the time the police arrived on the scene, Singh had already died, but they found a live .32 round and a bullet casing of a similar calibre, along with his wallet, cell-phone and a few gold rings, which the gunman had apparently missed in his haste to flee the scene.
On May 4, 2016, Thomas was arrested at a Parika betting shop, and when placed on an identification parade, was allegedly fingered by an eyewitness as the shooter.
A swab test done on Thomas’ hands reportedly tested positive for gunpowder residue. The police also carried out a search at his home and found clothing which matched what eyewitnesses said the shooter was wearing.