Father acquitted, son leads defence in Success murder trial

From left, Arif and Latiff Mohamed

Murder accused Latiff Mohammed walked out a free man from the High Court yesterday after Justice Navindra Singh upheld a no-case submission made by the defence, while his son and co-accused Arif Mohammed led his defence after the prosecution closed its case.

Justice Singh ruled on the submission made by attorney Peter Hugh, in the absence of the jurors in the High Court yesterday. He then instructed the 12-member jury to return a formal verdict of not    guilty against the senior Mohammed. Mohammed then walked out of the court as his son remained in the prisoners dock.

From left, Arif and Latiff Mohamed
From left, Arif and Latiff Mohamed

The Mohammeds are on trial for the murder of Jairam Balgobin, who they allegedly killed on March 4, 2008, at Success, East Coast Demerara.

After Latiff was freed, Arif was then asked to lead his defence. He stood from the dock and gave an unsworn statement to the court. He told the court that he was innocent of the charge against him and on the day of the incident he was at his sister-in-law’s where he was drinking cherry brandy.

He said then left her home and went to his father-in-law’s residence, where he continued to drink. “Me an me wife had a bitter argument and I slam a glass into a post and I bust an cut me hand,” he said, adding that