| Twenty-one-year-old Orpheus Johnson, and Steve Mohamed yesterday appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson to face multiple charges, including murder.It is alleged that on April 8, last, at Grove, East Bank Demerara, Johnson, being armed with a gun, robbed Neeparam Nambudhoo of a cell phone and a ring.It is further alleged that on a later date, between August 7 and August 8 at Kaneville, Johnson murdered Brendon Charles.Johnson, again being armed with a gun, was also charged with robbing Imran Husain of a $160,000 gold chain on June 19 last.Johnson and Mohamed were charged jointly for the armed robbery of Kalawattie Singh, from whom they took cash, and other items, to the value of $147,400.The duo was additionally charged jointly for the attempted murder of Krishna Persaud, who was shot in his left hip and upper abdomen during a confrontation with the gunmen.Attorney-at-Law Neil Bollers, representing Mohamed, told the court that his client, an Alberttown resident, was beaten severely during his interrogation with police.Bollers further claims that his client was also beaten to take part in an ID parade, adding that Mohamed has an alibi for each of his charges.Being unrepresented, all that Johnson could say to the court was he too was beaten severely, “police beat me with fire wood.”Prosecutor Kevin London addressed the court at this time and relayed from his facts that the accused were on an apparent rampage earlier this year, and strongly objected to bail.London also revealed to the court that several other charges are soon to be instituted against the two defendants, all of which are similar in nature.Both Johnson and Mohamed were refused bail, and are set to appear at the Providence Magistrate’s Court October 13.The duo was apprehended September 29 in an Alberttown house that had been under surveillance for some time.Apart from Johnson and Mohamed, a .32 pistol and a .38 revolver were also found at the premises.Police believe that one of the firearms was used in the murder of Brendon Charles, who was slain in Kaneville on August 8, last.According to reports as it relates to the attempted murder charge, on August 8 last, Krishna Persaud had run to the aid of a female shopkeeper who was being attacked by two gunmen.From earlier reports, Kaieteur News understands Brendon Charles was believed to have been slain by a group of gunmen with whom the family had a prolonged dispute. |
