Two plead not guilty to murder of 75-Y-O Professor Mars

Photo: Murder accused: Paul Chance (right) and Andre Benjamin  (cover photo)

Paul Chance and Andre Benjamin—the two men charged with the murder of 75-year-old Professor Pariedeau ‘Perry’ Mars pleaded not guilty to a joint murder indictment when they appeared before Demerara High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon on Monday morning.

Attorneys-at-Law Ronald Daniels and Kiswana Jefford are appearing for Chance and Benjamin who are both 21 years old. Senior State Counsel Abigail Gibbs is appearing for the prosecution. The men’s trial will begin next Monday, May 16, when the prosecution calls its first witness.

Back in 2019, 21-year-old Naomi Adams, 23-year old Nikisha Dover, and 22-year-old Orin McRae were arraigned before Justice Navindra Singh for Professor Mars’ murder.

They, however, opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter. Adams, the first to confess to the crime, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, while her co-accused Dover and McRae were each sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Police Headquarters had said that Mars was found dead with his hands and feet duct-taped and injuries to his head at his Prashad Nagar, Georgetown home on May 12, 2016. It was reported that his home was ransacked, and several items and cash were missing.

According to reports, Dover would frequently visit Mars’ home. On the day in question, she visited his home and allowed her friends into the house.

This was done after they had hatched a plot to rob the elderly man. Police ranks recovered a sum of cash, a laptop computer, an iPhone and game console in their possession.

Mars was subsequently found by his wife on her return home from Linden, Region 10. He was rushed to St Joseph Mercy Hospital, where later died while receiving medical attention.