A Point Fortin magistrate yesterday refused to send an elderly man, charged with the murder of his wife, for a mental evaluation at St Ann's Hospital. Senior Magistrate Indrani Cedeno turned down a request by defence lawyers. Ralph Sahibram, a 73-year-old retired bus driver, is accused of murdering his 68-year-old wife, Mona, at their home on Grant Street, Rousillac, on July 9. It is alleged that Mona, a mother of four, was beaten with a wrench after an argument. Yesterday, attorney Natalia Cummings, who represented Sahibram along with attorney Herbert Charles, asked that he be sent to St Ann's Psychiatric Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.
To test the accused's awareness, the magistrate asked him three questions, including his age and if he knew where he was. He answered all three. The magistrate then asked the attorney whether the accused had a history of mental illness. Cummings said she was not aware that he suffered with any mental illness in the past. Cedeno said the accused seemed "fully aware and had a "good level of intelligence." The accused was remanded into the custody at Remand Yard, Golden Grove Prison. He is to reappear on July 23.
