Cool Square murder accused denies knowledge of crime

Leon Duncan, who is accused of murdering Imtiaz Roopnarine at the Cool Square Hotel, yesterday told the court that he had nothing to do with the crime.

Duncan, called ‘Leon James’ and ‘Whistle,’ was at the time leading his defence through unsworn testimony at his trial.

His story is that he has no knowledge of the charge leveled against him.

Leon Duncan
Leon Duncan

The allegation against him is that on January 24th, 2013, at the Cool Square Hotel, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he murdered Roopnarine, called ‘Bobby.’He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Imtiaz Roopnarine
Imtiaz Roopnarine

His attorney, Mark Waldron, made a no-case submission, which was overruled by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, who is presiding over the matter at the High Court in Georgetown.

The trial continues on Monday afternoon at 1, when both the prosecution and defence will present closing addresses to the jury.

It is the state’s case that Roopnarine left his home for Cool Square on January 23rd with a quantity of cash and jewellery.

Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy had told the court in her opening address that while Roopnarine was about to leave the following morning, he was chased by Duncan into the yard, cornered and shot.

Hardy had said that when Roopnarine’s body was found, his cash and most of his jewellery were missing.

The state’s case is being led by prosecutor Stacy Goodings, in association with Hardy and Orinthia Schmidt.