Black Immigrant Daily News

A 20-year-old man who was charged for the 2017 murder of Hemant Persaud, brother of former Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud, now awaits sentencing, after pleading guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter.

This man was charged back in 2017, when he was a juvenile, and due to certain provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, his photograph, name, and other particulars cannot be published, because he was charged as a juvenile.

He was arraigned before Demerara High Court Justice Sandil Kissoon on Thursday, September 1, for the capital offence of murder, but has opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. He has been further remanded to prison, to await his sentencing hearing, which is fixed for September 26.

Reports detailed that on February 19, 2017, the juvenile, then 15, while in the company of another at Stabroek Market Square, Georgetown, had noticed the 51-year-old Hemant Persaud, otherwise known as ‘Bhim’, of Affiance Village, Essequibo Coast, in a drunken state.

Persaud, had reportedly just returned from the interior, and was purchasing items from a vendor.

This teen trailed Persaud to the back of the Stabroek Market with intent to rob him. He walked up to Hemant Persaud and demanded that he handed over a gold chain he was wearing, and when Persaud refused, the teen stabbed him in the chest and confiscated the chain before making good his escape.

Public-spirited citizens had rushed the injured Persaud to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Arrested on March 3, 2017 at his home at Sophia, Greater Georgetown, the teen had allegedly admitted, in the presence of his family and Police officers, to committing the crime.

The body of Hemant Persaud had remained unidentified for approximately two weeks at the GPHC mortuary, as his family had believed he was still in the interior. Butwhen the Police released information seeking the public’s assistance to identify the deceased, the identity of Hemant Persaud was confirmed.

His cause of death was given as perforation of the heart due to stab wounds.

During Thursday’s court proceedings, prosecutor State Counsel Muntaz Ali revealed that the 20-year-old man, in his confession statement to the Police, had said, “I roll up on he (Hemant Persaud), I stick he up and tell he pass the chain, and he start scramble on on me. He pick up a barrier and run into me, and I ran up to he, pull off the chain, and juk he with the knife…”

According to Prosecutor Ali, the accused gave the confession in the presence of his mother, and he was also positively identified in an identification parade held at the Police station.

Asked by Justice Kissoon if he had anything to say before being sentenced, the confessed killer said, “I was young, and lack of guidance. I would like an opportunity to continue my efforts and contribute meaningfully to society, and further my studies…”

In closing his remarks, the accused begged the court for mercy and leniency, and said he would like a chance to “correct my wrong”. He was represented by Attorney-at-Law Alaira Murphy-Goodman.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

Las autoridades investigan en la mañana una denuncia de que un cadáver en aparente estado de descomposición fue encontrado por un guardia de seguridad en el edificio del Departamento de la Familia (DF) en Bayamón.

El Departamento informó que la directora local de la oficina llamó a la Policía. 

“De la información preliminar, se descarta que sea empleado, porque ellos utilizan los baños del piso 2 y 4. El baño del piso 3 es para participantes, ciudadanos que acuden a la oficina local de Bayamón para buscar servicios o para cualquier persona que necesite utilizar un baño. 

El edificio es privado y el único inquilino es ADFAN y ADSEF. Hay seguridad en el piso 2, donde están las primeras oficinas. El piso 3 está desocupado, solo se utiliza para los servicios sanitarios. 

Para comenzar la investigación, los empleados fueron despachados; las personas con citas asignadas continuarán con ellas en otras oficinas del DF. 

El Departamento de la Familia coopera con las autoridades”, aseguró la agencia en declaraciones escritas.

NewsAmericasNow.com

Black Immigrant Daily News

Research Analyst at the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA), Uki Atkinson, is warning that the continued use of Molly could increase the risk of unsafe sex and health challenges.

In fact, Atkinson shared that students are of the view that Molly can be used, especially by women, to get them in the mood for sexual activity.

A Rapid Situational Assessment on Drug Use in secondary schools conducted in May, has found that Molly is emerging as one of the most popular drugs being used by teenagers locally.

Speaking at a press conference to present the findings of the assessment, Atkinson said the island did not have a “pill-popping culture” or a drug injection culture.

However, she said “things are changing”, and the NCDA and other agencies must implement the necessary prevention control measures that are necessary.

Molly acts on three main neurotransmitters, which are serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, according to the research analyst.

“These things control things like mood and aggression, sexual activity, our sleep, feelings of pain, blood pressure, heart rate, emotions, and motivation,” Atkinson outlined.

“In the short term, it can increase our heart rate, increase our blood pressure, cause muscle tension, teeth clenching, nausea, higher body temperature, and most importantly, increase the risk for unsafe sex,” she added.

The research analyst shared that Molly has been trending in the Dancehall sphere, especially at parties, and persons have been calling for its issuance at parties to desist.

She said anecdotally, persons have indicated that Molly has been mixed with alcohol and ganja at parties.

Atkinson said from the assessment and focus groups, students were able to describe what the pills looked like, how it was crushed and placed into alcohol, and the influence music had on its use, among other things.

“Students spoke about pills costing as low as $300 and as high as $2,500. What does this suggest? Internationally, it is known that Molly has a high potential for mixing with other drugs,” Atkinson explained.

“Another thing that came up is that it is felt to be a drug that is useful for sexual activity.

“What some students said is that when some women use the Molly they get on freaky, and Molly is for women and ecstasy is for men,” she said.

However, Atkinson said it is clear from those accounts that students do not have an idea of what Molly is, because “Molly and Ecstasy are the same thing.”

She said that some students also have expressed the view that the risk levels associated with using Molly are low.

“In other words, they think it is just a feel good, fun drug, and the fact that it can have serious impact on their health is not wildely known,” the research analyst shared, adding that the report for the rapid assessment details more from the students’ perspectives.

Though alcohol is not as popular anymore, Atkinson noted that it is still being used by some students in creative ways by soaking gummy bears in it and rebranding it as ‘Rummy Bears’.

The assessment also revealed that guidance councillors pointed out that students were struggling with issues relative to suicidal ideation, depression and anxiety.

NewsAmericasNow.com