Man freed over Land of Canaan murder

A city magistrate yesterday ruled that no case was made out against Raymond Shawn Tyson, who was accused of murdering Khemraj Singh in May 2013.

Tyson, 28, of Lot 46 Kalicharran Road, Soesdyke, Linden Highway, was accused of murdering Thandu Singh, 22, also known as Khemraj Singh, “Tony,” and “Fine man,” sometime during the period May 27 and 28, 2013, at Land of Canaan.

Magistrate Judy Latchman said that no positive proved fact was established against Tyson. The Magistrate ruled that the Blackberry smartphone stolen from Singh, though traced back to Tyson, was not enough evidence to prove that Tyson committed the murder. She added that no one saw Tyson commit the capital offence and that the charge was based upon circumstantial evidence.

The Magistrate also commended the prosecution for their submission and handling of the case. The prosecution was led by Police Inspector Michael Grant, who took over from Police Sergeant Vishnu Hunte.

After realizing that he was a free man, Tyson who always appeared in court with a bible, dropped to his knees and extended his hands to the ceiling. Simultaneously relatives shouted “praise God” only to have the Magistrate order them out of the courtroom, as she was still delivering her decision and the utterances were disrupting the proceedings.

At Tyson’s arraignment, Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told the court that Singh was murdered at his place of employment by a person or persons unknown. Mangru added that it was also discovered that Singh’s BlackBerry 8320 Curve smartphone was stolen and its pin was later activated and the user made contact with a male.

Attorney-at-law Kendaise Rodney, represented Tyson, who was incarcerated since December 9, 2013.

Singh’s body was discovered in the cottage he lived at the rear of the Land of Canaan establishment, with what appeared to be a deep cut to the throat and injuries to his skull.

A post mortem examination later ruled that Singh died of haemorrhage and shock, due to multiple injuries.