Man on murder charge

Noel Gow, who was arrested last week Monday appeared in court before Senior Magistrate Nanette Forde-John charged for the murder of Khemraj Persaud, 35, also known as Khemraj Ramkelawan, also known as ‘Leaf ’.

The arrest was effected by Head of San Fernando Police Headquarters Operations Unit Inspector Don Gajadar, at a service station in Duncan Village. Persaud, 30, was shot dead outside his apartment in Duncan Village on April 25, 2015. The victim’s friend Guyanese-born Shawn Boodhoo was also shot and wounded in the April 25, 2015 incident.

Persaud who lived in Trinidad for eight years, was shot twice in the head. His body was flown back to Berbice, Guyana for burial, ten days after the murder.

Gow yesterday stood before Senior Magistrate Forde-John who read four charges namely that on April 25, 2015 Gow murdered Persaud; on that same day, he allegedly shot and wounded Boodoo; on the same date he had in his possession an illegal firearm and the last charge was that he had in his possession illegal ammunition.

All charges were laid indictably and the accused was not called upon to enter a plea. As murder is a capital offence (for which the penalty is death), the accused cannot be afforded bail. Magistrate Forde-John asked court prosecutor Cleyon Seedan if he had anything to disclose and he said that a file will be prepared and sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for appointment of a State attorney.

The accused was not represented by an attorney. Woman Police Constable Tricia Knights laid the charges. The case was adjourned to April 23.