Rice farmer charged with murder of boy
A 42-year-old rice farmer was yesterday remanded to prison after he was charged with the murder of 14year-old Christopher Basdeo, whose decomposed body was found in a shallow grave at Lust-enRust, West Bank Demerara (WBD) last Friday.
Jairam Sieupersaud of Lot 548 La Parfaite Harmonie, WBD yesterday appeared before Magistrate Zamilla AllySeepaul at the Wales Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that between October 16 and October 25, at La Parfaite Harmonie, WBD, he murdered Basdeo.
Sieupersaud was not required to plead to the capital offence.
The matter was adjourned to December 12.
Basdeo of Lot 37 Thirteenth Street, Parfaite Harmonie, WBD was reported missing since October 16.
His father, Chitranauth Basdeo had said that he was last seen in the company of the suspect.
An autopsy performed yesterday showed that Basdeo died as a result of brain haemorrhaging caused by blunt trauma to the head.
The suspect was subsequently taken into police custody. Days after, he confessed to the crime and led the police to where he had buried Basdeo’s body.
The police had said that Sieupersaud had given a written statement and a caution statement describing what transpired.
Police Commander of Region Three, Senior Superintendent Linden Lord had previously told Stabroek News that Sieupersaud informed investigators that he and Basdeo were drinking on October 17th when they got into an argument.
The argument, police had said, revolved around money and as a result, a fight broke out between the two.
Lord had told Stabroek News that Basdeo was buried in sand that was being used for a house foundation.
Lord said that he and a party of police ranks went to the scene at Lust-enRust, WBD, and
Sieupersaud pointed out where he had buried Basdeo’s body.
After digging for some time, the body was found in a 7 feet by 2 feet shallow grave.
The elder Basdeo had explained that the suspect is known to the family.
“We know this man (Sieupersaud). He is like a family friend and he is related to my son-in-law family. My son knows him very well because he lives in the house before my daughter house. My son would go and sleep by his sister every night so he passes the house where this man lives. So he is no stranger to us,” he had said.
He further explained that after his son went missing, family and friends began asking about the teen and the suspect kept saying he didn’t know anything and acted strangely.
“His [Christopher’s] sister noticed [the suspect] walking around with a bottle which [we believe] had poison inside and she called me and we called the police and that is how they arrested him. After the police arrest him and keep him in lockup for a few days, he tell them what happen,” the father lamented.
The grieving father had noted that while the family is relieved that they have found Christopher’s body, they now have to come to grips with the grim reality of his death.
“I have so many questions to answer now from people but I didn’t know what happen. I wasn’t there but in life you have to accept all kinds of things,” he had said.