Not guilty verdict for deaf/mute man

In one of the shortest deliberations ever in a murder trial, a deaf and mute man accused of murdering his brother was freed yesterday. The jury at the Port-of-Spain First Criminal Court took only ten minutes to find hearing and speech impaired Bharath Mansingh not guilty of the murder of his brother Mukesh Mansingh on November 27, 1999 at their home at St John’s Road, St. Augustine. After the verdict, Justice Melville Baird advised Bharath’s family that life has not been easy for Bharath because of his hearing and speech impediments and also because he had been in police custody since 1999. Justice Baird encouraged the Mansingh family to support Bharath and give him all the love he needs. He also advised Bharath’s mother, Pooranmatee Mansingh, to spend time with her son, the only family member who learnt how to communicate with Bharath via sign language. The judge said that he has formed the impression that alcohol is taken seriously at the Mansingh’s house and Bharath’s father, Gunness, should keep Bharath away from drinking. The incident had taken place on a night when both Mukesh and his father were drinking.

Bharath, with the assistance of State-assigned interpreter Sharon Tardieu, testified on Friday to stabbing his brother Mukesh four times to the neck and back with a knife he took away from Mukesh because “he (Mukesh) was very angry and violent towards him” and that he saw Mukesh choking his father and tried to pull Mukesh away but could not. Bharath testified that he had tried to make his father and brother stop fighting by using his voice and by sign language. Bharath also testified that during the altercation Mukesh slashed him on his hand with a knife and as a result he received nine stitches. After the verdict, Bharath’s mother, who does not live with the family, held hands with her son and said that they had no immediate plans but that they were very thankful for the decision. The State prosecutors were Althea Alexis and Angelica Teelucksingh while the defence attorneys were SC Israel Khan, Dana Seetahal, Ulric Skerett and Nadia Astraph.