A 17-year-old Corentyne, Berbice teenager has been remanded to the Juvenile Holding Centre after appearing in court on a murder charge in connection with the fatal stabbing of labourer Carter Baboolall, called “Baboo”, of Nigg Village.
The accused appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on Thursday before Magistrate Michelle Matthias.
During the proceedings, his attorney-at-law, Vinay Punwasi, raised a claim of self-defence, telling the court that the incident occurred during a violent confrontation in which the deceased allegedly pinned the teenager down.
Punwasi submitted that the murder charge was unexpected and argued that the circumstances, as outlined by the defence, were more consistent with a lesser offence such as manslaughter.
He further told the court that the teenager had allegedly been subjected to prior bullying and provocation by the deceased.
According to the defence, on the day of the incident, the teenager was at a wash bay when Baboolall allegedly approached him and initiated an attack.
The court heard that the situation escalated quickly, leaving the teenager unable to escape.
“The deceased had him pinned down and he was unable to move,” Punwasi told the court while presenting the defence’s version of events.
He added that the teenager was allegedly being assaulted while restrained and feared for his safety. Punwasi further stated that the accused then pulled a knife from his pocket — reportedly the same knife he had earlier used to peel mangoes — and stabbed Baboolall in an attempt to break free.
Punwasi also indicated that video footage allegedly exists showing the teen being attacked prior to the stabbing.
During the bail application, the attorney asked the court to consider the accused’s age, lack of previous convictions, and the circumstances of the case.
Police Corporal Williams objected to bail, stating that murder is a capital offence and that the Magistrate’s Court lacks jurisdiction to grant bail in such cases.
After hearing submissions from both sides, Magistrate Matthias refused bail and ordered that the teenager remain in custody at the Juvenile Holding Centre until 30 June.
The matter has since been transferred to the Albion Magistrate’s Court.
