Corentyne youth further remanded on Bush Lot murder charge

Keeran Romeo Jeenarine
Keeran Romeo Jeenarine

A Corentyne youth who was charged with the December 31st murders of the Bush Lot farmers, Premcharran and Harricharran Samaroo, was yesterday further remanded to prison when he appeared at the Springlands Magistrate Court.

The farmers were fatally shot during the course of a robbery at their mother’s house.

Keeran Romeo Jeenarine, 18, of Lot 439 Bush Lot Village, yesterday appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh, who was filling in for Magistrate Alex Moore.

Jeenarine’s lawyer, Charlyn Artiga, for a second time requested full disclosure. She stated, that she was willing to bear the cost for the photocopying of the statements so as to have them be released early to her. She had suggested that this be done yesterday.

In response, Police Prosecutor, Orin Joseph, yesterday told the court, that the investigation was not yet completed.

However, Artiga argued, that the police are supposedly in receipt of a caution statement which should be disclosed to her. She said when the investigation is completed, they could disclose the other statements to her.

She noted, that she is of the opinion that at this time, the supposed caution statement is the only shred of evidence the police may have against her client.

 Magistrate Singh granted Artiga’s request for full disclosure and gave the police two weeks to comply. He transferred the matter to the Whim Magistrate’s Court for February 4.

The Samaroo brothers were fatally shot after they rushed into their mother’s backyard to investigate the sound of a gunshot. The bandits escaped with less than $80,000 in US and Guyanese currency in total.

Jeenarine turned himself over to police at the Whim Police Station in the presence of his attorney, after a wanted bulletin was issued for him and another accused, Kelvin Shivgobin, 32, of Belvedere Village, Corentyne.

Investigators believe that three days prior to the incident, Jeenarine conspired with two other persons to rob a relative of the Samaroos who was visiting from overseas. 

Police in Berbice have so far not arrested any other suspects.