Two men plead not guilty to murdering mall owner

(Photo: Murder accused: Kurt Erskine & Lennox Roberts)

Lennox Roberts and Kurt Erskine—the two men charged with the July 2015 murder of mall owner, Ganesh Ramlall—will go on trial from next Monday before Demerara High Court Judge Simone Morris-Ramlall and a jury.

Roberts called “Robby” formerly of Tuschen, Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo and Erskine called “Banana” formerly of  Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) were arraigned Thursday and pleaded not guilty to a joint murder charge.

It is alleged that on July 5, 2015, in the county of Demerara, they murdered Ramlall, 48, during the course or furtherance of a robbery. Attorneys-at-Law Lyndon Amsterdam and George Thomas are represented Erksine and Roberts, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has granted a fiat to Attorneys-at-Law Konyo  Sandiford and Narissa Leander to prosecute the matter on behalf of the State.

Ramlall called “Boyo”, who was the owner of the popular Regent Multiplex Mall at Regent Street, Georgetown was shot and killed after bandits invaded his  Lot C La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara (WCD) home.

He had just returned home and went to use the outside bathroom when he was confronted by four men who shot him about his body and took away his licensed firearm, jewellery, and a wallet before escaping.

He was later pronounced dead on arrival at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.