(Trinidad Express) Krishna Rampersad, nephew of murdered millionaire Mahase Rampersad, appeared in court yesterday charged with killing his uncle and his uncle’s wife, Darling.
Rampersad, 37, was jointly charged with his former wife Hilda Donna Bullock, 28, with the murders which happened almost a decade ago.
Both appeared yesterday before acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Rajendra Rambachan in the San Fernando First Magistrates’ Court.
They were charged by Cpl Terry Tambie of the San Fernando Homicide Bureau.
It is alleged that on a day unknown between August 3 and 8, 2002, at La Fortune, Woodland, the two murdered the millionaire couple, Mahase, 64, and Darling, 62.
The Rampersads, who had founded an auto supply business that expanded to several successful companies, were abducted at the gates to their Palmiste, San Fernando home, shortly after leaving the home of their daughter Geeta Ramjattan, who was celebrating her birthday.
Despite an expansive search led by the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, there were no leads until, three days later, their decomposing bodies were found at Woodland, La Romaine.
They were shot in the back of their heads, and their skulls were crushed, according to the post-mortem reports.
The two murder accused stood expressionless as the charges were read to them yesterday.
Bullock’s hands were clasped in front of her.
Rampersad is a dairy farmer of Woodland, La Romaine. Bullock, of Rambert Village, San Fernando, is unemployed. The two are parents of a six-year-old boy.
Defence attorney Subhas Panday who appeared on their behalf yesterday called for a quick hearing of the case.
He also asked for documents related to the investigation, dating back to 2002, to help him build his defence. Panday said some of the documents were gathered by a police officer who was no longer in the service.
A State counsel is yet to be assigned to the case and yesterday, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Joan Honore-Paul, said this will be done when the file reaches the office of the DPP.
She said the documents will be made available to Panday when an attorney is appointed and that “he need not worry”.
Honore-Paul also said it will be decided whether the matter will be dealt with by way of paper committal.
Paper committal consists of recorded statements from prosecution witnesses, which are entered into evidence without them having to give oral evidence.
Rambachan assured Panday of a quick start when the State gets its house in order.
During the proceedings, Rambachan also raised the issue of a warrant which was out for Rampersad’s arrest.
Krishna Rampersad had allegedly failed to appear before a Chaguanas court for a traffic offence on August 14, 2009 on the charge of improperly overtaking on the left.
Magistrate Margaret Alert had issued the warrant, with a condition that when arrested, Rampersad would be granted his own bond of TT$15,000.
Rambachan transferred this matter yesterday to the Chaguanas court for March 1.
In looking at the warrant and the traffic ticket, Rambachan noted that the addresses differed.
The accused were remanded in prison custody, and will reappear in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court on March 20.
