Suspect slapped with two murder charges; remanded to prison

Twenty-four-year-old Kapildeo Gangadin appeared at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Wednesday and was remanded to prison on two counts of murder.

Gangadin of Annandale, ECD was charged with the fatal stabbing of 20-year-old Ganesh ‘Chris’ Persaud on October 15, 2021, and the January 18, 2020 murder of 24-year-old fisherman Mukesh Mangra known as ‘Paul’.

Gangadin appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore on Wednesday and was not required to plea to the two counts of murder. He was remanded to prison until January 17, 2022.

The case was prosecuted by police corporal David Goodridge while Gangadin did not have legal representation.

He was first charged with the murder of Persaud, who was killed on October 15, at his family’s electronics store – Deals on Electronics at Strathspey.

According to the police, Persaud was inside his hardware store when he was reportedly confronted by Gangadin at around 16:30hrs.

During the confrontation, Gangadin allegedly stabbed Persaud to his neck and relieved him of a gold chain and a quantity of cash.

Police said the young businessman managed to exit the store and was assisted by several persons to the Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital in Georgetown where he died while receiving medical attention.

Persaud’s father, Devin also attended court on Wednesday. He is calling for justice for his son.

“He coulda take something and go, he didn’t had to kill my son, why he had to kill my son?” the tearful father told reporters outside the court.

The father explained that there was a lot of money in the store that Gangadin could have taken.

Meanwhile, hours after the murder, Gangadin was caught by a mobile police patrol and the gold chain he reportedly stole from Persaud was found in his possession. Police Headquarters had reported that Gangadin allegedly confessed to Persaud’s murder when the allegation was put to him.

While in custody, Gangadin also admitted to the murder of Mangra.

On January 18, 2020, the body of Mangra was discovered with multiple stab wounds and lacerations. He was attacked and killed during an alleged robbery, the police reported.

Two men, Vivekanand Ram and Roy Jaglall are currently on remand for Mangra’s murder.