TWENTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD Anthony Ragnauth, called “Cookie,” appeared before Chief Justice (ag) Navindra Singh at the High Court in Demerara last week, where he pleaded guilty to the capital offence of murder.
Ragnauth, a taxi driver, was represented by attorney-at-law Latchmie Rahamat, while the prosecution was handled by State Counsel Christopher Belfield, assisted by State Counsel Simran Gajraj and State Counsel Geneva Wills.
The convict is expected to return to court on November 19 for sentencing.
The plea comes after Ragnauth was charged with the murder of Neil Whyte, a 42-year-old Canadian national, following a violent incident at Guyana Goldfields Inc., Thomas Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, on May 21, 2018.
At the time of his demise, Whyte was a Supply Chain Manager at Guyana Goldfields.

Agreed facts presented in the High Court outlined that Ragnauth, of Lot 72 Middle Road, East La Penitence, Georgetown, had met Whyte of Adelaide Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, approximately five months prior to the incident while working as a taxi driver.
The two reportedly communicated via text messages and socialised on occasion, including visits to local bars.
On the night of May 21, 2018, Whyte invited Ragnauth to spend time with him at his apartment at Thomas Street, during which they consumed alcohol.
Security footage recorded Ragnauth arriving with Whyte at the apartment around 22:00 hours, and later leaving at 23:45 hours carrying a black haversack.
Upon inspection, a security officer discovered Whyte’s naked and motionless body lying in a pool of blood on the bed, and contacted the police.

Ragnauth was later approached by police on May 23, 2018, while driving a black motor car and initially denied any involvement.

However, after being shown footage linking his vehicle to the scene, he admitted his actions, telling detectives, “Officer, I will tell you everything, and I did not mean to kill him.”

In his caution statement, Ragnauth recounted that Whyte had expressed affection toward him and that the now deceased had agreed to be restrained with plastic ties to enhance their sexual encounter.

According to Ragnauth, he then left briefly to retrieve a knife from the kitchen, after which he repeatedly stabbed Whyte.

Following the attack, Ragnauth stole CAN $260, GY $25,000, and two mobile phones from Whyte. He disposed of the victim’s credit cards, wallet, and phones at the seawall but retained the cash, knife, and haversack.
A post-mortem examination revealed that Whyte suffered 17 stab wounds to various parts of his body, including the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands.
The injuries severed major blood vessels, including the jugular vein, and penetrated the trachea and larynx. The cause of death was identified as hemorrhage and shock due to multiple stab wounds.
Following the establishment of a prima facie case, Ragnauth was committed to stand trial. With his recent guilty plea, the focus now turns to the upcoming sentencing.