The trial of Kenkassie Lynch for the alleged murder of Mocha mechanic Terrence Lanferman commenced yesterday morning before Justice Navindra Singh and a 12-member jury at the High Court in Georgetown.
The charge against Lynch, to which he has pleaded not guilty, is that on June 1st, 2015, he murdered Lanferman, 23, at Lot 37 Nelson Street, Mocha, East Bank Demerara.
Testifying at yesterday’s hearing was an emotional Eunice Lanferman, the mother of the deceased, who recalled receiving a phone call as a result of which she rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where she saw the lifeless body of her son lying on a stretcher. She said his bloodied body bore several holes.
The woman, who was moved to tears during her testimony, also recalled being present at the Georgetown Hospital Mortuary on June 3rd, when she identified her son’s body to Dr Nehaul Singh, who performed an autopsy.
He was buried on June 8th at the Mocha cemetery.
Asked by Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs whether she knew of any issue her son may have had with anyone, Lanferman responded in the affirmative.
She explained that her son had cause to make a police report against a man from the area who was popularly known as ‘Birdman.’
Responding to further questions from the prosecutor, the woman said she was also acquainted with a man from the area, known as ‘Liverpool.’ This person she said, was a relative of ‘Birdman.’
The witness told the court that while ‘Birdman’ was at one point charged with her son’s murder, ‘Liverpool’ was not.
Also testifying yesterday was Inspector of Police Prem Narine, who recalled making contact with Lynch, who was in police custody on April 14th, 2016.
Narine said that he had put the allegation to the accused that he and others had killed Lanferman. After putting the allegation to Lynch, the Police Inspector said he then cautioned him, in accordance with the judge’s rule, informing him that he was not obliged to say anything and explaining that anything he said could be put into writing and given in evidence against him.
He said just then Lynch told him, “Boss, ‘Birdman’ and the man had a vibe, and he wanted the man dead.”
Narine said at that point he stopped the accused and again cautioned him and enquired whether he wanted to reduce what he had said into writing. The witnesses said that Lynch responded in the affirmative and elected him [Narine] to write what he had to say.
The police officer said that Lynch, of his own free will and at his own dictation speed, then related a story to him and which he in turn wrote.
Narine will continue his testimony during a voir dire when the trial continues next Tuesday morning at 9.
Meanwhile, Ebun Booker, who lived in the upper flat of the Lot 37 Nelson Street property where the deceased lived, was also a witness who testified yesterday.
She recalled being at home on the night in question at about 6.30 when she had just finished preparing dinner for Terrence and his girlfriend. She said that she and the girlfriend were in the upper flat listening to music when all of a sudden they heard two loud explosions. This, she said, prompted her to immediately run down to the lower flat, where Terrence had been at the time.
The woman said that although she repeatedly called out the man’s name, she got no answer and then discovered him lying in blood on the ground.
She said they subsequently rushed him to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where a doctor pronounced him dead.
Asked by Prosecutor Gibbs whether she knew of any problems the deceased had with anyone, Booker said she did not.
Also taking the stand yesterday was Lance Corporal Melanie Hale, who recalled visiting the crime scene, which she photographed. The seven photographic exposures, which she said she took of the scene, were tendered into evidence.
Also tendered into evidence yesterday was an autopsy report which Police Constable Thrumain Thomas said Dr. Singh had prepared and handed over to him.
