Three men convicted of murdering Tain pensioner

Three men were convicted on Tuesday of the 2020 robbery and murder of 82-year-old pensioner Chandarie Budhoo at her home in Tain Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice.

Dhannyram Ramdhanny, 35, Kumar Bhagwandin, 29, and Narvindra Chillu, 25, all from Region Six, were found guilty by a 12-member jury following a trial before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Berbice High Court.

The jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts against all three men.

Attorney Cicela Corbin appeared for the prosecution, while Chandra Sohan and Vinay Punwa represented Chillu. Kevin Morgan appeared for Ramdhanny and Bhagwandin.

Following the verdicts, Justice Kissoon ordered probation and psychiatric assessments for the convicted men ahead of sentencing.

The prosecution’s case relied heavily on the testimony of Kevin Mangar, also known as “Toby” or “Chubby”, who told the court he acted as a lookout during the robbery and received $5,000 from the sale of stolen items.

In his summing up, Justice Kissoon cautioned jurors about Mangar’s evidence, pointing to inconsistencies and his criminal background, but noted that the jury was entitled to accept his testimony when considered in the context of the wider evidence.

All three defendants denied involvement, advancing alibi defences. Ramdhanny said he was drinking elsewhere at the time, Bhagwandin claimed he was at a friend’s home, and Chillu told the court he was at work. Defence attorneys challenged Mangar’s credibility, arguing that his account was fabricated and unreliable.

Despite those arguments, the jury found the men guilty of murder committed in the course of a robbery, concluding that they acted pursuant to a joint plan.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 9, 2026, after the court reviews the probation and psychiatric reports and hears submissions from both sides.