Three men to stand trial for murder of West Berbice taxi driver

Three men will face trial in the Berbice High Court for the murder of 47-year-old taxi driver Mohamed Haniff from Experiment, Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice.

The accused—Royston Dowden (also known as “Sakie” and “Killa”), Devon McAlmont, and Ivan Lindu—are charged with murder arising from a 2020 home invasion and robbery.

A jury of 12 was sworn in on Monday before Justice Sandel Kissoon, marking the commencement of the trial.

State Prosecutor Cicela Corbin is leading the case, which will include testimony from 22 witnesses, including 13 police officers. She is set to present the State’s case when the trial resumes on Monday, November 10.

The accused are represented by attorneys Kevin Morgan for Dowden, Chandra Sohan for McAlmont, and Horatio Edmonson for Lindu.

Haniff, a taxi driver returning from St. Martin, was attacked by masked men in his Bath home who demanded money. When he refused, they reportedly beat him with a metal bar and chopped him, leaving him dead while his wife allegedly watched.

Four men were initially arrested and charged with murder before Magistrate Robindranauth Singh. Sarju Matadin, a 56-year-old cash crop farmer, was released due to insufficient evidence, while the remaining three were committed to stand trial in the High Court.

If convicted, they face either the death penalty or life imprisonment.