Trial begins of accused in murder of Coldingen girl, 9

Three murder trials have begun in the High Court, including that of the accused in the almost decade-old murder of nine-year-old Christine Sookra, who was shot dead by bandits during an attempt to break into her home at Coldingen, East Coast Demerara.

Three judges, Justice Roxane George, Justice Navindra Singh and Justice Dawn Gregory, were sworn in to preside over the new criminal session of the Demerara Assizes yesterday.Juries were also empanelled yesterday to hear the three trials in their respective courts.

Christine Sookra
Christine Sookra

Justice George will be presiding over the trial of Kenise Glasgow, who is accused of killing

Kenise Glasgow
Kenise Glasgow

Christine Sookra on August 28, 2004. The nine-year-old Sookra was shot dead in her home when bandits opened fire on the house after they were unable to gain entry into it. Glasgow is represented by attorney Basil Williams.

In Justice Singh’s court, Latiff Mohammed and Arif Mohammed are committed to stand trial for the murder of Jairam Balgobin, which they allegedly committed on the 4th of March, 2008, at Success, East Coast Demerara.

Both men, who pleaded not guilty, are represented by attorney Peter Hugh and associates, while the state’s case is presented by Konyo Thompson and Dhanika Singh.
Meanwhile, in Justice Gregory’s court, the trial of Mortimer Melville and Jevon Ismond, who are accused of killing Nasir Alli on August 21, 2007, at Better Hope, East Coast, began. Melville, a bus conductor of 93 Prince William Street, Plaisance, and of Hadfield Street, Werk-en-Rust, is accused with Ismond of murdering Alli, who was a former presidential guard, during a robbery. The duo also pleaded not guilty to the crime.

Jairam Balgobin
Jairam Balgobin
Nasir Alli
Nasir Alli
Mortimer Melville
Mortimer Melville

Attorneys Compton Richardson and Hookumchand are representing the accused, while prosecutors Renita Singh and Diana Kaulesar are representing the state.
All three cases will continue today, when the prosecutors will present their witnesses and make their opening address to the court.