‘Muscle’ freed of Murder Charge

By MalisaPlayter Harry

A vendor of Tain Village, Corentyne, Berbice who was accused of murdering a teen in 2012 was on Friday, September 16, 2016, freed of the charge. Shyamdyal Ramroop, 36, also known as ‘Muscle’ of Tain, Corentyne, Berbice was on trial for allegedly murdering  18-year-old Ajai Cecil.

He was on trial before Justice Jo Ann Barlow and a mixed jury. Presenting the state’s case was Attorney at Law/state council Stacy Goodings.

It was alleged that he murdered the young man, a wholesale vendor of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne on November 11, 2012, over a family dispute.

The defence Attorney Kim Kyte at the end of trial submitted a no-case submission on her client’s behalf. There were a number of inconsistencies throughout the trial and not enough substantial evidence which led the judge after listening to the defence’s submission to direct the jury to return a not guilty verdict.

According to the state’s case, Cecil earlier on the day in question attended an event at Rose Hall Town, where he saw Ramroop. It was alleged that Cecil and a relative departed shortly after, to return home, however they were attacked and Cecil was stabbed.

The teen was subsequently rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital, however, the hospital’s gate was locked the teen was taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A post mortem was conducted by Dr. Vivekanand Brijmohan, who gave the cause of death as shock and hemorrhage due to a stab wound to the heart.

Representing Ramroop were Attorneys at Law Kim Kyte and Tanya Warren Clements.