Boat operator charged with Hog Island murder

The man accused of shooting and killing 51-year-old security guard Rudolph Persaud called ‘Drainage’ at Northern Hog Island was yesterday remanded to prison when he appeared before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court.

Randy Katwaroo, 18, a boat operator, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated on that August 11 at Hog Island, he murdered Rudolph Persaud.

According to the police’s facts, on August 11 at around 21:00 hrs, Persaud and his friend, a 21-year-old labourer named Roy Williams, were consuming alcohol on a dam at Hog Island. It is alleged that Katwaroo, who was armed with a gun, discharged several shots in the direction of Persaud and Williams. They were both rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where Persaud succumbed to his injuries while Williams was admitted as a patient at the hospital and later discharged.

Attorney Onassis Granville in association with Attorney Glen Hanoman represented the accused who according to Granville had given the police information as regards robbery that had taken place at his home in 2012. The perpetrators were sent to prison but had previously contacted Katwaroo’s family and had threatened his life.

Granville told the magistrate that if Katwaroo is remanded at the Camp Street prison, he could be killed and as such, she requested that he be sent to another prison.

A decision was expected to be made as to which prison the man would be sent to.

The matter was prosecuted by Haimwant Ramsewak and bail was refused by the magistrate.

The case is set to be called again on September 24 at the Wakenaam Magistrate’s Court.