Murder accused changes plea

Bridgelal, now 25, had shot dead his friend Lutchman Maharaj after an argument over a parakeet. After his attorney Israel Khan SC made a plea in mitigation, Justice Alice York Soo-Hon reserved sentencing to November 16.

State prosecutors Nalini Singh and Tricia Hudlin had already called eight witnesses before Bridgelal changed his plea, which was accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The State had three more witnesses to call before closing its case. This is Bridgelal’s second trial. At his first trial in December 2003, the jury failed to agree on a unanimous verdict and a retrial was ordered.

On Old Year’s night — December 31, 1999 — both men, who lived at St Clair Road, Five Rivers, Arouca, became involved in an argument over a stolen parakeet. Bridgelal ran to an abandoned area where he dug up a gun wrapped in a bag in the bushes. Bridgelal was heard saying, "they feel dey bad. Somebody go dead tonight." Maharaj went to his house and armed himself with a cutlass which he stuck in his pants. He then ran towards Bridgelal, who was sitting on a culvert. Bridgelal allegedly pulled the gun and shot Maharaj while his hands were up in the air. This account, however, was challenged by the defence.