A 12-member jury at the Berbice High Court delivered unanimous guilty verdicts against three men charged with the robbery-murder of 82-year-old Chandarie “Aunty Dayo” Budhoo. The verdicts conclude a closely monitored trial that heavily relied on the testimony of an admitted accomplice.
The accused—Dhannyram Ramdhanny, 35; Kumar Bhagwandin, 29; and Navindra Chillu, 25—all residents of Corentyne, were tried for the incident that occurred on June 16, 2020, at Budhoo’s home in Lot 83 Tain Settlement, Region Six.
Justice Sandil Kissoon presided over the case, with the prosecution led by Attorney-at-Law Cicela Corbin, while Ramdhanny and Bhagwandin were represented by Attorney Kevin Morgan, and Attorneys Vinay Punwa and Chandra Sohan defended Chillu.
After the verdicts were announced, Justice Kissoon ordered probation and psychiatric evaluations for each of the convicted men. Proceedings were adjourned until January 9, 2026, when the court will hear mitigating submissions from the defense and aggravating factors from the prosecution prior to sentencing.
The prosecution’s case was primarily built on the testimony of Kevin Mangar, also known as “Toby/Chubby,” who claimed to have been a lookout during the crime. He testified that he acted in this capacity while the other defendants were inside Budhoo’s home. Mangar additionally stated that he received $5,000 from the sale of stolen items following the robbery.
In his summation, Justice Kissoon reminded jurors of the need for caution regarding Mangar’s testimony, as he was an accomplice. He highlighted potential discrepancies in Mangar’s account during cross-examination, including inconsistencies about when he first provided his statement to police and contradictions in his testimony.
Despite these concerns, the jury ultimately accepted Mangar’s evidence, considering it within the broader context of the case.
All three defendants had previously denied their involvement, presenting alibis to assert they were in different locations at the time of the murder. Ramdhanny claimed to have been drinking with friends in another village, Bhagwandin stated he was staying at a friend’s house for several days, and Chillu maintained he was simply going about his work and life. The defense also sought to undermine Mangar’s credibility, referring to his criminal history and suggesting that his story was fabricated.
However, the jury found the defenses unconvincing, determining that the accused acted in concert under a joint plan during the robbery, leading to the tragic death of Budhoo.
With the verdicts now recorded, the court awaits the required reports before proceeding to sentencing in January 2026. During that session, defense attorneys are expected to present mitigating circumstances, while prosecutors will outline aggravating factors for the court’s consideration.
