One accused cleared of murder of kidnapped Foulis businessman
One of the accused in the murder of businessman Rajendra Singh, who was killed after being kidnapped in 2014, was yesterday discharged after the prosecution failed to prove a case against him.
Sheldon Chase had been charged alongside Doodnauth “Pumpkin” Ketwaroo, of 365 Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, Tony Thomas, of 7 Bel Air Village, Georgetown, Michael “Jet Lee” Lewis, of 65 Sheriff Street, Georgetown, and Adony James, of 171 East Ruimveldt with the crime.
The charge against them stated that they murdered Singh between April 5, 2014 and April 9, 2014, at the Le Repentir Cemetery.
While the other four men were previously committed to stand trial for the crime on May 22, 2015, Chase’s failing health led to his hospitalisation and his inability to attend the preliminary inquiry into the charge with them. As a result, he was the subject of separate proceedings.
Chase, who made his way to court yesterday in an ambulance and in the company of a medic, was told by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan that the prosecution had failed to prove its case against him. On this ground, he was discharged.
Singh was held at gunpoint and kidnapped from his business place at Foulis, East Coast Demerara on April 5, 2014. A multi-million dollar ransom was later demanded for his safe return. However, the businessman’s body was discovered on the morning of April 9 in a cemetery, with his hands bound and a gunshot wound to his head.