THE siblings accused of killing Ken Bruce Leitch alias ‘Dougla Boy’, between March 10 and 12, 2008, walked out of the Berbice Assizes free men, recently.
That was after the jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict in their favour. The brothers, Kemraj Charrendeo called ‘Sugar Boy’ and Gopaul Kusley known as ‘Butter cup’ were, originally, indicted for murder, but Justice Dawn Gregory-Barnes upheld no-case submissions in relation to the capital offence.
However, the judge had urged the jurors to consider a case of manslaughter based on the evidence.
State Prosecutor Rondell Weaver in her opening address, alleged that, on March 10, 2008, the victim and Kusley were at the Royal Star Liquor Restaurant consuming alcohol.
Weaver said Kusley referred to Leitch as an ‘Aunty Man‘ and the latter responded:”Just like you”.
The prosecutor said, later, as Leitch was walking along Port Mourant Dispensary Dam, the two accused hit him behind  his head with a spade and an axe handle, resulting in him jumping into the nearby trench where his remains surfaced two days later.
A post mortem examination, conducted by Dr Vivekanand Brijmohan revealed he died as a result of asphyxia and drowning.
Prior to freeing the brothers, the judge told them she thought they were very lucky as the case resulted from drinking and warned them to be careful when they return to normal society.
Attorney-at-law Rabindranauth Singh was the defence counsel.