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No-case submissions by Ogle 2 murder accused rejected
Written by George Barclay   
Friday, 16 April 2010 02:07
”We were beaten by Police to sign statement” jury told
ONE day after two of their partners in the Ogle 4-man murder trial were freed on no-case submissions, other accused Christopher Dhanrad called Paul Jagnandan, and Vijay Rajkumar called ‘Eon’, were yesterday called upon by the judge for a defence after rejecting their no-case submissions.
The men are indicted for unlawfully killing taxi driver Teddy Smith on October 24, 2004.

After ruling in the no-case submission yesterday afternoon, the judge told the accused in the presence of the jury – “At the close of the case for the prosecution, I have been satisfied that a case has been made out for you to answer in relation to the offence for which you have been indicted”. The accused then elected to give unsworn statements from the dock to mark the beginning of their defence.
Jagnandan, who was 17 2004, said he is now 22. He added, “Sir, I was beaten by the Police.  I thought I would have died.  I signed a paper and I know nothing about the murder they are talking about. I am innocent sir”.
Attorney-at-Law Mr. Euclin Gomes, representing Jagnandan, told the court that he does not intend to call any witness in the matter and declared that he would begin his address to the jury this morning
Vijay Rajkumar, called ’Eon’, said in his unsworn statement from the dock. “I am now 22.  I was beaten by policeman Radesh Persaud.  Mr. Persaud also bent back my finger and said he would break it.   He took a razor blade and cut it and said if I did not sign the paper he will kill me.  My mother was not there. That is all Sir”.
His counsel Miss Kamini Parag also indicated that she would not be calling witnesses and that she would address the jury today.
At this stage, the judge noted that the trial was coming to an end and hinted to the jury that it would likely conclude today or tomorrow.
Following the addresses by defence counsel, Prosecutor Mr. Ganesh Hira, who is associated with lawyers Miss Latchmie Rahamat  and Miss Rhondel Weever, will deliver his final address to the jury.
Thereafter the judge will sum up the evidence to the jury after which he would hand over the case to them for their consideration and verdict.
The freed accused, Azim Khan and Kumar Seeraj, who were discharged on no case submissions on Wednesday, ran from the court with joy.  They were represented by Attorneys-at-Law, Mr. Hukumchand and Mr. Adrian Thompson.
The mixed jury had earlier heard that the four accused had robbed and killed taxi driver Teddy Smith on the night of October 24, 2004.
This allegation was contained in two alleged confessions or caution statements said to be given to the police by accused Christopher Dhanrad  and Vijay Rajkumar.  They attributed the existence of the statement to police brutality.