TWO men were, on Monday, freed of a murder charge after Senior Magistrate Alex Moore upheld a no-case submission made by defence attorney Bernard DaSilva.

Gobin Balram, 62, a farmer, and Jerry Pirtam, 27, a labourer, both of Number 65 Village, Corentyne, were discharged of the offence following a preliminary inquiry at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court.

The men were on remand for allegedly murdering Parmanand Lakram called “Bachan” on January 30, 2020, at Number 67 Village, East Berbice, Corentyne.

Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, DaSilva made a no-case submission and argued that there was no evidence linking his clients to the crime.

The magistrate subsequently accepted DaSilva’s submission, noting that there was insufficient evidence against the men.

According to reports, on the day in question, Lakram’s body was found at Number 67 Village Backdam. The police were contacted and an investigation was launched. Balram and Pirtam were later arrested.

Reports are that Lakram’s two friends were hiding in some nearby bushes when they allegedly saw Balram and Pirtam shooting Lakram over a stolen cow.

The men then reported the matter. The firearm and some spent shells were also recovered at the scene.