Bisram committed for murder; defense files High Court proceedings

Marcus Bisram with his lawyers 

Magistrate Renita Singh on Monday followed the orders of the Director of Public prosecution and committed Marcus Bisram to stand trial in the High Court for the murder of carpenter Fiyiaz Narinedatt back in 2016.

The Magistrate made the ruling days after she discharged the murder case against Bisram on a no-case submission which was put forward for by the defense lawyers. Hours after the discharge, the Magistrate received instructions to reopen the case and commit Bisram to stand trial and he was rearrested.

“I have received instructions from the DPP and I am now clear with her instructions that I should commit you, so there you are hereby committed to stand trial in the high court at the next practical period,” Magistrate Renita Sing told Bisram on Monday.

Following that announcement to the court, defense lawyer Sanjeev Datadin told the court that they have filed proceedings in the high court to have the DPP’s letter to commit quashed and made a case for the magistrate not to commit Bisram until those proceedings in the High Court heard.

State Prosecutor Stacy Goodings told the court that the defense is simply asking the magistrate to disobey a statutory ruling.

While the defense continued to argue that the high court proceedings are filed, the Magistrate made it clear that there were no directions to the court from the High Court and that the only directions she is in receipt of is that of the DPP’s and stated that she will not be disobeying those directions.

The defense is hoping that the High Court will throw the directions given to the magistrate by the DPP which necessitated the ruling the court arrived at on Monday.

The high court matter is set for April 14, 2020.