Less than a month after a 12-member jury at the Berbice High Court found three men guilty of the robbery-murder of 82-year-old Chandarie “Aunty Dayo” Budhoo, each was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Friday.
The convicted men—Dhannyram Ramdhanny, 35, Kumar Bhagwandin, 29, and Navindra Chillu, 25—all from Corentyne, were responsible for the fatal attack on Budhoo, a pensioner from Lot 83 Tain Settlement, Corentyne, Region Six, which occurred on June 16, 2020.
Justice Sandil Kissoon handed down the sentences during the Berbice Criminal Assizes. The prosecution’s case was presented by Attorney-at-Law Cicela Corbin, while Ramdhanny and Bhagwandin were represented by Attorney Kevin Morgan and Chillu by Attorneys Vinay Punwa and Chandra Sohan.
Following the verdicts, Justice Kissoon ordered that probation reports and psychiatric evaluations be conducted on each of the convicted men. The matter has been adjourned to January 9, 2026, for further proceedings.
The prosecution’s case heavily relied on testimony from Kevin Mangar, known as “Toby/Chubby,” who identified himself as a lookout during the robbery. He testified that he was present when the others entered Budhoo’s home and later received $5,000 from the sale of the stolen items.
The three accused denied involvement and presented alibis, claiming they were not at the crime scene. Ramdhanny stated he was drinking with friends in another village, Bhagwandin claimed to have been staying at a friend’s home, and Chillu insisted he was working and living normally at the time of the incident.
The defense also questioned Mangar’s credibility, pointing to his criminal history and suggesting that his testimony was fabricated. However, the jury rejected these defenses and found all three men guilty of murder in the course of a robbery, concluding that they acted together under a joint plan.
