A 39-year-old carpenter on Tuesday pleaded guilty to murder in connection with a robbery that claimed the life of a supermarket owner in Williamsburg, Corentyne, Berbice.
Satish Ramnaraise, also known as “Chico,” admitted to the October 18, 2023 killing of 59-year-old Akbhar Sain during a robbery at Sain’s supermarket. He appeared before Justice Deborah Kumar in the Berbice High Court.
Represented by Attorney-at-Law Sasha Roberts, Ramnaraise pleaded guilty to the murder charge, thereby waiving his right to a jury trial.
Prosecutor Marisa Edwards told the court that Sain, the former owner of the Akbhar Sain supermarket, confronted Ramnaraise at Lot 11 ‘C’ Williamsburg after the accused allegedly forced entry into the building by breaking a metal and glass door.
According to the prosecution, Sain struck Ramnaraise with a piece of wood, prompting Ramnaraise to retaliate. Sain subsequently fell and was left bleeding.
The court heard that Ramnaraise then ransacked the supermarket before going to the upper flat, where he stole cash and concealed it in his pants.
After neighbours raised an alarm, police were summoned to the scene. Sain was discovered lying in a pool of blood. Ramnaraise was shot by police at the scene and later taken to hospital. Cash was subsequently found in his possession. Sain’s body was later removed.
Justice Kumar ruled that there was a sufficient factual basis for the plea and formally entered the guilty plea.
Sentencing has been scheduled for March 5. Ramnaraise was remanded to prison.
The court also ordered that several documents be submitted by February 25, including a probation report, a prison conduct report, details of aggravating and mitigating factors, a victim impact statement, and written submissions from both the prosecution and the defence.
