The murder trial into the deaths of cousins Joel and Isaiah Henry continued on Friday in the Berbice High Court, with Isaiah Henry’s father among four witnesses who gave evidence before the court.
The two accused, Anil Sancharra, known as “Dan Pole” and “Rasta,” of D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice, and Vinod Gopaul, called “Magga,” of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, are on trial for the killings of the two teenagers.
Both men have denied the charges, which allege that between September 5 and 6 in Berbice, they murdered the Henry cousins. The case is being heard before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall, while the accused appeared virtually when the indictments were read.
Sancharra is being represented by attorney-at-law Dr. Dexter Todd, while Gopaul is represented by attorney-at-law Chandra Sohan. When the trial opened earlier this week, State Prosecutor Marisa Edwards told the court that the prosecution intends to call about 45 witnesses, including Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, 16 police ranks, and relatives of the slain teens.
On Friday, the court heard from four witnesses: Isaiah’s father, Glaston Henry; Rural Constable Devindra Pardat of the Mibicuri Police Station; Shane James of CID Headquarters; and Police Sergeant David Samnarine of the Guyana Police Force Academy.
In his testimony, Glaston Henry recounted the desperate search for the boys and told the court how he eventually went into the Cotton Tree backdam after receiving information from his son-in-law. It was there, he said, that he saw Isaiah’s body.
He told the court that after making the discovery, he remained at the location until the police arrived. Glaston also said he later identified his son’s body, though he explained that it was a cousin who witnessed the post-mortem examination.
Under cross-examination, he told the court that Isaiah would often go into the backdam to gather coconuts and mangoes. He also said he was unsure who owned the land where his son’s body was found.
Constable Pardat later testified about the arrest of the accused in Yakusari, Black Bush Polder. Another witness, Shane James, said he received information about the killings and confirmed that Sancharra, Gopaul and another man were interviewed, with statements being prepared.
During cross-examination, Dr. Todd put it to James that Sancharra, Gopaul, and another suspect were assaulted by police and forced into confessing to the murders. James rejected that suggestion.
Todd further claimed that even while being beaten, Sancharra maintained that he had nothing to do with the killings. In response, James said he would rely on the video interview.
Police Sergeant David Samnarine also gave evidence, telling the court that he photographed the post-mortem examinations conducted by Dr. Nehaul Singh on September 9, 2020.
The trial is set to continue on Monday, with dozens more witnesses still expected to testify.
