Five people, including a woman, have been jointly charged with the murder of Corentyne labourer Chittesh Sukhai, who was allegedly chopped with cutlasses at Friendship Village on September 28.

Sukhai, 23, also called "Rohan" and "Marsho", was of Friendship Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

The accused are 47-year-old housewife and mother of two Zynette Baichu; 22-year-old Mohan Narine; 26-year-old Gowcharran Narine; 29-year-old Mahendra Budhram; and 19-year-old Kumar Jailall.

They appeared at the Whim Magistrate's Court on October 1 before Magistrate Tuanna Hardy, who appeared virtually. The charge was read to them and they were not required to plead.

Attorney-at-law Ryan Crawford represented Baichu and Gowcharran Narine. The other three accused were unrepresented.

Police said the incident occurred at about 11:40pm on September 28. Preliminary investigations found that Sukhai was arguing with a female relative when several men armed with cutlasses reportedly arrived at the location.

Sukhai was allegedly chopped several times about the body. He reportedly fled but collapsed in a nearby yard.

He was taken to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where he died while receiving treatment. His body was later taken to Ramoo's Funeral Home.
A post-mortem examination determined that he died from shock and haemorrhage due to multiple incised wounds.

Police recovered two cutlasses suspected to have been used in the attack. They apprehended two men in connection with the incident and later arrested two other men and the woman.

The matter was adjourned to November 9.