After the conclusion of the Preliminary Inquiry into the death of Patricia Sanasie, who was shot dead in January last, Richard Stanton, the murder accused, was committed to stand trial in the High Court.
He appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Zamilla Ally.
Stanton was informed by Magistrate Ally that a prima facie case was made out against him to establish the offence of murder and, as such, he was to face a judge and jury at the next sitting of the Demerara Assizes in July.
Stanton is facing charges, which state that on January 12, 2015 at 129 Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara, he murdered Sanasie, a 43-year-old businesswoman.
It is alleged that on the night in question, the woman, along with her daughter, returned home from church and she got out of her vehicle to open her gate when she was confronted by a lone gunman, who opened fire on her.
Eyewitnesses told investigators that a “big built” man exited a silver Raum and discharged four rounds at the woman.
According to reports, she was shot to her chest, abdomen, neck and groin. She was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
Sanasie was the former Director of Studies of the Academy of Professional Studies.
A similar attempt was made on her husband’s (Deonarine Sanasie’s) life just one year prior to her death, and she, along with her brother, Vishnu Persaud, was implicated.
The daughter of the now deceased woman who was in the car and witnessed the shooting positively identified Stanton as the shooter; as such, he was arrested and charged.
