kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
Two weeks after Penal housewife Leisha Ramnath’s battered body was found at her home, her common-law husband appeared before a Siparia magistrate charged with her murder.
Keshan Bajnathsingh, 41, of Clarke Road, Penal was not called upon to plead. Siparia First Court magistrate Margaret Alert read the charge to Bajnathsingh that between March 29 and April 1, he murdered Ramnath, 39, at their home.
Bajnathsingh stood silently as the charge was read. He was represented by Chris Ramlal. Alert remanded him into the custody of the prison and adjourned the matter to May 13.
According to reports, Ramnath, 39, was found dead in her home on April 31 by her brother Mukesh Ramnath.
She was expected to make breakfast for her 71-year-old mother, Tara Ramnath, who is a double amputee.
An autopsy at the Forensic Science Centre showed that she died from manual strangulation and blunt force trauma to her head.
In another matter, Mukey Pierre, who was charged with kidnapping and attempting to murder Romeo Mitchell last month reappeared in court yesterday.
However, he is yet to be charged with murder after Mitchell died at the San Fernando General Hospital on March 26 from injuries he allegedly sustained during an altercation with Pierre on March 18.
On March 25, Pierre, 24, appeared before Alert in the Siparia Magistrates’ Court, charged with the offence that between March 17 and 18, he unlawfully carried away Mitchell from Victor Street, Syne Village, Penal. The charge also stated that he kidnapped Pierre with the intent to murder him at the Mora Dam Road, Siparia.
Pierre was sent to the St Ann’s Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. Yesterday, prosecutor Woman Sgt Starr Jacob told the court that the evaluation showed that he was of sound mind and fit to be tried for the offence.
Mitchell was beaten and dumped in a well at the Mora Dam. After crying for help, he was found by residents. He was hoisted out of the well by Siparia firefighters and spent his last nine days at the San Fernando General Hospital.