Senior Reporter
derek.achong@guardian.co.tt
A mechanic from Chaguanas has been acquitted of murdering his friend on New Year’s Day in 2018.
Nackool “Danny” Ramcharan, 37, of Gopaul Trace, Longdenville, was found not guilty of the crime at the end of his judge-alone trial before Justice Nalini Singh at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain on Monday.
Ramcharan was accused of murdering John Ramkissoon, a retired police officer, on January 1, 2018.
Ramkissoon’s relatives claimed that he was liming and drinking alcohol with Ramcharan, and both men sounded intoxicated.
They claimed they heard Ramkissoon shout “get out of my yard” before they found him bleeding from stab wounds.
However, they admitted that they did not see who Ramkissoon was directing the remark towards or Ramcharan attacking him. They also could not confirm when Ramcharan had left the property.
While being cross-examined by Ramcharan’s lawyer, Delcia Helwig-Robertson, Ramkissoon’s relatives admitted that he had a close relationship with Ramcharan and that they were not aware of any dispute between them.
Helwig-Robertson also contended that Ramkissoon was last seen in the company of his wife, with whom he had an estranged relationship.
After considering the evidence, Justice Singh stated that she could not be sure beyond a reasonable doubt that Ramcharan was guilty.
She raised concerns over the timeline of the events established by Ramkissoon’s relatives and a lack of forensic evidence, as there was no DNA evidence linking Ramcharan, despite testing being performed.
Justice Singh also pointed out that State prosecutors could not refute the possibility that another individual was present and murdered Ramkissoon.
Ramcharan was also represented by Kameika Peters, of the Public Defenders’ Department (PDD).
