A carpenter has pleaded guilty to the murder of a businessman during a robbery in Williamsburg, Corentyne Berbice, in 2023.
Satish Ramnaraise, also known as “Chico,” 39, appeared before Justice Deborah Kumar on Tuesday afternoon and admitted to the murder of 79-year-old Akbhar Sain, which occurred on October 18, 2023.
Ramnaraise, represented by Attorney Sasha Roberts, entered a guilty plea to the murder charge, effectively waiving his right to a jury trial, where he would have been presumed innocent and the prosecution required to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
State Prosecutor Marisa Edwards provided details of the incident, revealing that Ramnaraise had known Sain for several years before the crime. On the day of the attack, Ramnaraise forcibly broke open the metal and glass door of Sain’s former supermarket located at Lot 11 ‘C’, Williamsburg.
During the confrontation, Sain struck Ramnaraise on the head with a piece of wood. In retaliation, Ramnaraise struck Sain, causing him to collapse and bleed profusely. While Sain lay injured, Ramnaraise ransacked the supermarket and then proceeded to Sain’s living quarters on the upper floor, where he stole cash and concealed it in his pants.
The disturbance prompted neighbors to notify the police, who arrived to find Sain in a pool of blood. Edwards reported that Ramnaraise was shot once by police at the scene and found in possession of cash upon search. He was subsequently arrested and taken to the hospital for treatment, while Sain’s body was removed from the scene.
Justice Kumar reviewed the facts and ruled that there was a sufficient factual basis for Ramnaraise’s guilty plea, formally accepting it.
The court has ordered the submission of several documents by February 25, including a probation report, prison conduct records, and statements on aggravating and mitigating factors. Sentencing has been scheduled for March 5, and Ramnaraise remains in custody.
