3 months later, businessman charged for fatal shooting; prosecution’s key witness dies – INews Guyana
More than three months after he allegedly killed a labourer on New Year’s Day, a businessman from Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) has been charged with manslaughter and placed on bail in the sum of $1 million.
Moonie Ramnarine, a 65-years-old businessman of Lesbohelden South appeared at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Tuana Hardy.
The bar and rum shop operator was not required to plea to the indictable charge which states that on January 1, 2025, at Lesbeholden, he unlawfully killed 29-year-old Yognand Chaitram.
Attorney at Law Benard DaSilva, representing the accused, told the court that the father of one is a licenced firearm holder and on New Year’s Day, a fight erupted in his bar and that Chaitram was allegedly involved in the altercation.
DaSilva told the court that the accused intervened with the intention of parting the fight when he was reportedly attacked and thrown on the ground. As such, the businessman allegedly used his firearm and discharged one shot, which hit Chaitram.
The attorney, in appealing to the court to grant the accused bail, said Ramnarine recently underwent a triple bypass surgery in the US and will need to return for treatment. However, Magistrate Hardy said that has no relevance to the case at this point in time.
Meanwhile, the prosecution told the court that Ramnarine was on $1 million station bail while the investigation was ongoing and asked for substantial bail and for the accused’s passport to be lodged. As such, bail was set at $1 million with the accused being ordered to lodge his passport.
The case has been transferred to the Mibicuri Court and comes up again on April 1, when the police will be expected to disclose all statements in the matter.
When the incident had occurred, it was reported that Chaitram and his brother had gone to the rum shop to change money and whilst they were there, a fight erupted. Chaitram’s brother had told reporters that the victim had already walked out of the shop when he was shot.
The younger Chaitram was the prosecution’s key witness in the case. However, on Saturday, the man died by suicide.
