Penal murder accused committed to trial

Harold Clarke, the man accused of murdering his wife Wendy Arjoon, was yesterday committed to stand trial for attempting to murder a taxi driver and robbing him of his car last year. Clarke, 45, appeared before Siparia First Court Magistrate Jo-Anne Connor charged with the 2011 offences as well as with his wife’s murder. Clarke was on the run in the matter of the attempted murder and robbery with violence charges. A warrant was issued for his arrest when he missed his March 9 court date for the two matters. He was subsequently charged with Arjoon’s murder. The mother of two was stabbed to death while at a cafe in Penal last month. Yesterday when Clarke reappeared to answer the murder charge, Connor called on court prosecutor Sgt Dridgenath Sookraj to continue the prosecution’s case on the two charges involving Ramdath Gajraj. Clarke was charged with the attempted murder of Gadraj, 38, and robbing him of his Toyota Corolla on May 9, 2011. Five witnesses were called in that matter. Clarke was committed to stand trial in the High Court. He will reappear before the Siparia court on July 23 to answer Arjoon’s murder charge.