Court of Appeal orders retrial for 2014 ‘Skull City’ murder

The Court of Appeal on Wednesday set aside the conviction of Vishawantie Ragnauth, who is currently 40 years behind bars for the murder of her uncle, and ordered that she be retired at the next practical sitting of the Demerara assizes.

Ragnauth and her reputed husband, Nyron Thakurdyal were initially jointly charged with the capital offence of murder.

In 2018, the couple was found guilty by a jury of murdering Sunil Ramsundar on Boxing Day 2014 at Skull City, Patentia, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

They were each sentenced to 40 years imprisonment by High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon.

Dissatisfied with the ruling of the High Court, the couple with the aid of their attorneys, Nigel Hughes and Narissa Leander, mounted an appeal against the conviction and sentence, claiming several errors in law were made by the trial judge, including imposing an excessive sentence.

However, Thakurdyal died while in prison awaiting his appeal.

The appeal was heard by Chancellor (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud; the State was represented by Prosecutor Diana O’Brien.

The Chancellor, who delivered the ruling, said that the defence’s case should have been properly put to the jury and the jury should have been directed accordingly, taking into consideration the evidence that was provided to the High Court.

The Chancellor allowed the appeal and set aside the conviction and sentence.