A man was yesterday charged with the murder of Sigmol Gouveia who was killed during an incident at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD), Region Three.
Alistair Persaud, a fisherman of De Willem, WCD, was arraigned at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court where Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty read the charge to him.
It is alleged that on September 18, at Vreed-en-Hoop, he murdered Gouveia, 26, of Block ‘A’, Sophia, Greater Georgetown.
Persaud was represented by attorney-at-law Bernard DaSilva who told the court that his client was beaten by police while he was in custody. He requested that his client be given medical attention for the assault, which was granted.
The accused was then remanded until October 12.
This newspaper previously reported that Gouveia, a security guard, was fatally stabbed at a dockyard at Vreed-en-Hoop stelling, West Coast Demerara. His brother, Neville Gouveia, 37, also a security guard, was also injured in the attack. According to the police, a boat with three males arrived at the stelling and one of them disembarked. Sigmol advised the man that he could not use the area and an argument ensued.
The suspect was advised to summon the boat to collect him. Another argument then occurred at which point the suspect allegedly fatally stabbed Sigmol. His brother, Neville who went to his rescue also sustained stab wounds to his upper right arm and chest.
The police said that the “boat then returned shortly after with over ten (10) persons on board. They were all armed with pieces of wood and cutlasses. They collected the suspect and they all headed across the river.”
