Guilty verdict in two trials

THE SENTENCE of death was pronounced on four persons among them a woman, who were all found guilty of two unrelated murder cases heard at the San Fernando High Court.

In one trial, housewife Irene Ragbir, 53, was sentenced to hang for the murder of her husband Kelvin Ragbir, 47,at their home in Siparia.

Two other persons: Ancil Edmund, 32, and Bruce Henry, 28, both of Fyzabad, were also found guilty of killing Ragbir and had the sentence of death passed on them by Justice Herbert Volney yesterday.

In the other trial, heard and determined before Justice Devan Persad, Gerard Trevor Wilson, 49, of Marabella, was found guilty of killing Esther Mae-Vidale and he too was sentenced to hang.

The three were on trial for stabbing Ragbir to death between November 1 and 4, in the garage of his home. Forensic pathologist Dr Hughvon Des Vignes testified that the deceased was held from behind and stabbed several times in the neck.

Ragbir, who was represented by Israel Khan SC, claimed she was a victim of domestic abuse. Both Edmund and Henry denied being involved in Ragbir’s killing.

The jury retired for the mandatory three hours and announced guilty verdicts against the trio. On being asked if she had anything to say, Mrs Ragbir, a mother of two, remained silent. Edmund and Henry replied that they were innocent.

In the other trial, Wilson was sentenced to hang for the murder Mae Vidale, 77. State Prosecutor, Angelica Teelucksingh, led evidence that Vidale was strangled at her Erin Road, Siparia home, sometime between November 8 and November 11, 2001.

Her semi-nude body was discovered on a bed on November 10. The woman was blindfolded, her underwear stuffed into her mouth and a bedsheet tied around her neck.

While in the bedroom, Wilson’s foot struck a biscuit tin and Vidale woke up. The woman screamed when she saw him. Wilson blindfold the elderly woman, tied her up and then strangled her. Wilson did not testify in his defence. Attorneys Learie Alleyne-Forte and Steadman Jack, represented him. The jury took approximately 70 minutes and returned a guilty verdict against Wilson. Sgt Jimmy Palloo laid charges in both murder cases.