DPP directs Magistrate to re-open Marcus Bisram case

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) On Monday afternoon insisted there was enough evidence for Marcus Bisram to have been committed to stand trial in the High Court for the murder of Berbice carpenter Faiyaz Narinedatt and has directed the Magistrate to re-open the Preliminary Inquiry.

Whim Magistrate Renita Singh on Monday freed Bisram, saying it would take a “long shot” for Bisram to be convicted of the charge. But the State, represented by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (ADPP) Ms. Stacy Goodings argued there was sufficient evidence.

“The DPP, in compliance with the law, requested the court documents from the Magistrate and having been satisfied that there was sufficient evidence contained therein for him to have been committed, has directed the Magistrate to re-open the Preliminary Inquiry (Pl),” the DPP stated.

Hours after he was freed, Bisram was out shopping for alcohol and other items when Police swooped down on him. He was taken to the Spirnglands Police station and would be put behind bars.

Bisram rose to fame in Guyana for splurging his wealth on the Police, religious and social organisations, often throwing elaborate parties.

It was at one of those parties on the night of October 31, 2016, that Police said he made sexual advances against the young carpenter while they were in the washroom. When Nariendatt refused, Police claimed, Bisram told some of the men who were at the party to kill him.

Bisram claimed the charge was fabricated against him.

The young carpenter was found dead on the N0. 70 village public road on November 1, 2016. Police initially said he was killed in an accident, but Police headquarters sent special investigators to probe the case and Bisram became the focus on the investigations.

A teen boy who was at the party was the State’s star witness, but in the end, he testified that he didn’t hear Bisram tell the men to kill Narinedatt. The music was too loud, he told the court.

The five men Police said Bisram told to kill Narinedatt are now before the High Court. They are Nyron Yacoob, Deodat Datt, Orlando Dickie, Haripaul Parasram and Radesh Motie.

Bisram made his first appearance at the Whim Court on November 21, hours after he was extradited to face the charge which alleged that between October 31 and November 1, 2016, he coerced, procured and demanded the five men to murder Narinedatt.