Three to face judge & jury in gruesome murder of Canadian citizen

Three men were on Thursday committed to stand trial in the Berbice High Court for the murder of Nicholas Ramkissoon Jaipaul, a 23-year-old overseas-based Canadian who had returned to Guyana on vacation in 2020 with his grandfather.

Aszim Shivgobin called ‘Blackie’, 23; Charran Sewdhan called ‘Vickey’, 26 of No. 79 Village and Moonasar Beharry, 56, a rice farmer of 125 Section ‘A’ No.70 Village were all charged jointly on August 28, 2020, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for the murder of Jaipaul which was committed between August 16 – 20.

The Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the case concluded on Thursday at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court after several delays. Magistrate Alex Moore ruled that there was sufficient evidence to commit the trio to stand trial in the High Court.

Prosecuting the case was Inspector Orin Joseph while Sanjeev Datadin were among the lawyers representing the men.

In January 2020, Nicholas had travelled to Guyana with his grandfather, Ramkissoon Jaipaul; they were scheduled to return to Canada in May of the same year. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, they were forced to remain in the country.

On August 16, the young man went missing from his grandfather’s home at No.70 Village, Upper Corentyne and it prompted the grandfather to file a report.

The remains of Jaipaul were burnt beyond recognition, but a relative was able to confirm his identity based on a surgery he did. The remains were discovered at Moleson Creek, East Berbice, Corentyne on August 20.

The News Room understands that the young man was murdered as revenge against his grandfather who has an ongoing court matter over rice lands with ‘Brickhead’ who is a rice farmer.

Following Jaipaul’s disappearance, the police arrested two maids who worked at the house and one of their sons. It was that young man who told investigators that his brother was involved in the plot to kill the 23-year-old.

The brother was arrested after police tracked his phone; he reportedly confessed to the murder and led the police to the crime scene.

The suspect told investigators that he was hired to abduct and kill the young man on the behest of “Brickhead.”

Reports indicate that the plan to kill the young man was ongoing for some time since the alleged murderer befriended the young man and was seen at the home earlier in the day before he was abducted.