Man charged with Cunupia murders

Ezra Bhagwandeen, of Governor Trace, Las Lomas, appeared before Magistrate Carol Thomas in the First Police Court, charged with the murder of Renald “Rah” Elie, 46, Gerald Gibson, 52, Willard Cantaro Revello, 31, and Christopher Nelson, 48, all of Cunupia.

The four were killed on August 18 during a game of dominoes outside a parlour at Kernaham Trace, Chin Chin Road, Cunupia.

It was also alleged that, on the same day, Bhagwandeen shot at Joanne Cruickshank Samuel with intent to commit grievious bodily harm, and he was in possession of a pistol and six rounds of ammunition.

Bhagwandeen was arrested and charged on Sunday by acting Cpl Alexis Garcia of the Homicide Bureau.

Yesterday, Bhagwandeen, sporting a short Rastafarian hairstyle, stood silently with his hands clasped in front of him as the magistrate read each of the four charges against him. He was not called on to plead as the charges were laid indictably.

Bhagwandeen’s attorney, Victor Hosein, complained to Thomas that the police had refused to take a statement from the accused concerning an alibi.

Requesting that the magistrate take note of the complaint, Hosein also submitted the names of four persons who the attorney said would be the accused’s “alibi witnesses.”

The attorney submitted that if the police had properly checked out Bhagwandeen’s “alibi witnesses,” they would have had a “change of view of whether to charge him.”

In response, prosecutor Cpl Cyril Figaro told the magistrate that he had already spoken with the police complainant and the matter would be dealt with. Thomas took note of the complaints and the names of “alibi witnesses.”

Bhagwandeen will re-appear in court on September 8.