Two plead not guilty to brutal murder of Gafoor’s manager

Two men on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to the brutal murder of Gafoor’s manager Terry Lackhan, who was killed during a robbery at his Herstelling, East Bank Demerara house in 2016.

David Outar, 27, formerly of First Street, Herstelling and Patrick Ross, 29, formerly of Foulis, East Coast Demerara both appeared before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court.

The duo denied that on July 21, 2016, in the county of Demerara, they murdered Lackhan during the course or furtherance of a robbery. The men were represented by attorney-at-law Ravindra Mohabir while evidence is being led by Senior State counsel Lisa Cave.

A jury was empanelled to hear the case on September 27.  The body of the 55-year-old Gafsons Industries Limited’s manager was discovered by a neighbour shortly after a male was seen exiting the house with several bags.

He was found motionless next to a wardrobe around 23:00hrs, with a length of rope tied around his neck, while several bottles of tablets and photographs of his family members lay nearby.

Subsequently, Outar, who is known to Lackhan since they both worked together, was arrested.

He allegedly admitted that on the day in question he was at Lackhan’s house imbibing when an argument ensued. Outar told the police that he left and later returned with Ross and they allegedly strangled Lackhan and ransacked his home.