The trial of the former soldier accused of decapitating his uncle in 2017 in what he claimed was an act of self defence commenced yesterday in the High Court.
Dwayne Tappin is accused of murdering 51-year-old Randolph Seenauth at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara on August 6, 2017.
The case is being heard by Justice Sandil Kissoon with attorneys Abigail Gibbs and Mandel Moore representing the state.
A number of witnesses were called yesterday to give evidence and those witnesses included the deceased’s sister and neighbour. Seenauth’s sister, Shirley Seenauth, took the stand and informed the court that the accused is her nephew.
The woman said that on the day in question, she received a call and as a result, went to her mother’s home in Better Hope. Shirley recounted that when she arrived, she saw a number of policemen at the home and she questioned them and they responded. She then said that she saw officers place four sanitary cups, a bottle and a large bucket into the back of their vehicle. Shirley told the court that subsequently, a hearse came and removed her brother’s body from the home. She further testified that the following day, she, along with her other sister, identified the body of their brother.
According to another witness, Paul Primo, prior to his death, Seenauth was seen imbibing with his nephew at a shop not far from his home. Primo recounted that on August 6th, 2017 at just around 3:05am, the accused came to his uncle’s house and was heard making noise as he stood at the bridge.
Primo said that after hearing Tappin, he got up and told him to go into the home and sleep. However, he said, the accused paid him no mind, kicked the gate open and went inside. The witness stated that after Tappin gained entry to the home, he heard more noises and heard the deceased calling out saying, “Like this man want kill meh.”
Primo further said that subsequently, there was silence and this caused him to get up again and approach the door. He said that he saw the accused leaving the house with a cutlass, walk towards a bucket in the yard, put down the cutlass and washed his hand. Primo said that he saw Tappin pick up the cutlass, stuck it in his waist and as he was leaving the yard, he indicated to Primo that he was leaving.
The trial is expected to continue today before Justice Kissoon.
According to previous reports, Seenauth’s body was found in his home around 4:30am on the day in question after neighbours had reported hearing a loud commotion coming from the home.
