Couple to stand trial for murder

A 27-year-old mother of two and a 34-year-old Barataria man were yesterday committed to stand trial at the next Assizes for the murder of Diego Martin courier Carlos Philip. Julia Esmeralda Celia Ramdeen of Charlie-ville and David Abraham were committed by Chaguanas Magistrate Nanette Forde-John on completion of the preliminary inquiry. Ramdeen broke down and cried after being committed. Her relatives who were seated inside the courtroom left hurriedly and were seen weeping.

They tried to touch Ramdeen as she was being led away but were prevented from doing so by police officers. Thirty witnesses gave evidence at the preliminary inquiry, which lasted for several months. The two were arrested shortly after Philip’s murder. His body was found in a caiman infested pond at Pokhor Road in Longdenville on Christmas Day 2003. The discovery was made by a Longdenville man who stumbled on the body and alerted the police. Acting Sgt Ajith Persad, head of the Chaguanas CID at the time, laid the charge against the two.