Double-murder accused signatures a perfect match

A FORENSIC report stating that the signature of murder-accused Mookash Chandar-dath matched those on a document authorising him to receive the pension cheque of one of his alleged victims — Selwyn Grant — was submitted into evidence in  Chandardath’s double-murder trial yesterday.

The report was submitted during the testimony of acting Superintendent Rattan Singh, in his second day on the witness stand in the San Fernando First Criminal Assizes.  ASP Singh told the court that on December 16, 1999, he went to the Social Welfare Department and obtained a nomination card on behalf of the deceased Grant.  The nomination card, ASP Singh testified, stated that Grant had given authority to Chandardath to collect his (Grant’s) monthly old-age pension. The card, ASP Singh said, bore Chandardath’s signature.
ASP Singh said he took possession of the card and later sent it for testing at the Forensic Science Centre.

The senior policeman added that he also took for testing a notice to prisoner (NTP), which Chandardath had signed, and both signatures on the Nomination Card and the NTP were a confirmed match. Chandardath and Zanna Andrews were charged with the murders of elderly couple Ursula Innis and her husband Selwyn Grant in 1999. The decomposing bodies of the pensioners were found at their Penal home and Chandardath and Andrews were subsequently charged with committing the murders on a date unknown, between July 31 and September 17, 1999. The trial is before Justice Herbert Volney and a 12-member mixed jury in the San Fernando High Court.

Last week, Andrews pleaded guilty to manslaughter of Grant, but not guilty to murdering Ursula Innis. The State accepted the plea, and Andrews was remanded into custody until his sentencing. Chandardath remains on trial for the double-murder and is represented by attorney Chateram Sinanan, instructed by Farraz Mohammed. The Prosecution is led by acting Director of Public Prosecutions (South) Joan Honore-Paul. The case continues today.