Trial commences for man accused of murdering businesswoman, young sons

A jury was empanelled Thursday before High Court Judge Justice Brassington Reynolds to hear the case of the September 2012 murders of Anna Catherina liquor store owner Jennifer Persaud and her two young sons.

Abishai Caesar, 34, formerly of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo is charged with three counts of murder.

The three charges against Caesar alleged that between September 21-22, 2012 at Sea View Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara he murdered 41-year-old Jennifer Persaud called ‘Jenny’ and her two children Afridi Bacchus, 6 and Jadon Ernest, 17 months.

Caesar is represented by Attorney-at-law Dexter Maxwell McKay while Prosecutors Seeta Bishundial and Lisa Cave are appearing on behalf of the State.

The trial commenced Thursday morning and a series of witnesses – both civilian and Police – are expected to testify.

According to reports, the house was broken into during a robbery and the woman and her two children were killed. At the time, Caesar was the woman’s neighbour.

Government Pathologist, Dr. V. Brijmohan, on September 24, 2012, gave the cause of their deaths as haemorrhage and shock due to stab wounds.

In April 2016, investigators were able to arrest Caesar after his reputed wife went to the Police and told them that he murdered Persaud and her sons during a home invasion.