Death sentence for man in 2016 Corentyne triple murder
A 28-year-old man was on Thursday, handed three death sentences over the 2016 murders of 37-year-old rice farmer Pawan Chandradeo; his 15-year-old son, Jaikarran Chandradeo as well as his brother-in-law Naresh Rooplall, 33.
A jury found Tameshwar Jagmohan unanimously guilty on three counts of murder following a trial before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the High Court in Berbice. The two men and teen boy were murdered between January 20 and 21, 2016 at Mibicuri Creek, Black Bush Polder, Region 6.
Jagmohan during his court appearance
Despite the jury’s verdict, Jagmohan maintained his innocence. The convict told Justice Kissoon, “Sir, I must say that how I innocent over this murder charge and I already tell the Police the truth about who shoot them man and kill them. It is not easy for me to face three murder charges; this is an unfair trial….”
Apart from Jagmohan, Jairam Chaitram, 20, was also charged with the killings. His sentencing was slated for later today but up to press time, he was not sentenced.
Jairam Chaitram’s father, Carlton Chaitram, also known as ‘Lie Man’; and 30-year-old Rakesh Karamchand, called ‘Go-To-Front’- all of Berbice, who were also charged with the murders, pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. Carlton Chaitram and Karamchand will be sentenced on February 17.
The bodies of two men and the teen boy, bearing gunshot wounds, were discovered on July 21, 2016, at Mibicuri Creek, Black Bush Polder. It was reported that they were murdered after they caught Jagmohan, Carlton, and Jairam Chaitram, and Rakesh Karamchand stealing fuel from a businessman. Police had said that Chandradeo and his son were shot to their heads while Rooplall was shot to his neck.
During a plea in mitigation, Jagmohan’s lawyer, Surihya Sabsook said that her client who does not have a proper educational background was “led astray”. She also asked the court to have mercy on her client since he was not the “trigger man”.
State Prosecutor Abigail Gibbs had this to say: “This was gruesome and inhumane murder of three innocent people. Two father figures are now absent from homes. This will have a ripple effect not only on the family but the society.”
Against this backdrop, Gibbs urged the judge to impose the maximum penalty. She noted that these types of offenses are too prevalent in society and a strong message has to be sent to offenders—that such crimes will not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, Justice Kissoon in his sentencing remarks told Jagmohan that he showed “callous disregard for human life”. According to the High Court Judge, the factual circumstances of this case are exceptionally serious and demand a rigid punishment.
As such, Justice Kissoon directed the marshall to “rise” the court. He thereafter sentenced Jagmohan to suffer death in a manner prescribed by law on each of the three counts of murder. Jagmohan stood expressionless as the sentences were passed.
