GEORGETOWN – Amidst heavy police presence, the mother and stepfather of slain teenager Neesa Gopaul were on Friday charged with murder at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Bibi Sharima Gopaul and Jarvis Small, both of 13 Public Road Leonora, West Coast Demerara, are accused of murdering Neesa Lalita Gopaul between September 24 and October 2 at Madewini, at the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.
The duo, who were jointly charged, were handcuffed as they stood in the docks when the capital charge was read to them by Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
They were not required to enter a plea.
Gopaul, who appeared dazed, was expressionless when the murder charge was read to her. Small, meanwhile, appeared more alert than his co-accused as the capital offence was read to him.
Prosecutor Lionel Harvey, in presenting the police’s case, told the court that the 16-year-old deceased, who went missing on September 24, was the daughter of Gopaul who along with Small filed a missing person’s report at the Leonora Police Station three days after.
According to him, the teen’s decomposing body was found in a suitcase anchored in the creek by a number of heavy metal instruments.
Investigations conducted by police led to the arrest of Gopaul and Small. (Stabroek News)
