Boy, 17, in court for Dr Sharma's kidnapping, murder

A San Fernando magistrate has ordered that a 17-year-old boy, charged with murdering Dr Rudradeva Sharma on January 15, be medically examined for possible brain injury.

The accused, who cannot be identified because he is a minor, appeared before senior magistrate Jo-Anne Connor on Wednesday. He was wearing a neck brace and was allowed to remain seated in the prisoners’ dock for the hearing.

It is also alleged the teen, of Embacadere, Lady Hailes Avenue in San Fernando, kidnapped Sharma and his colleague 37-year-old Dr Prem Naidoo from Rushworth Street, San Fernando. He is also charged with murdering his alleged accomplice Akeem Marine. Charges of robbery have also been laid against the accused. It is alleged that he robbed Sharma and Naidoo of their cell phones and Sharma’s $120,000 Honda CRV.

Sharma died when his car he was being transported in by his abductors crashed on the north-bound lane of the Solomon Hochoy Highway near Macaulay. Marine died at hospital two days later. Another suspect, 19-year-old Antonio Francois of Bamboo Village La Romaine, was also charged with kidnapping Sharma and Naidoo and murdering Sharma and Marine.

Attorney Chantal Paul, instructed by attorney Celeste Francois, told Connor that her client suffered bruising to his brain. She asked the magistrate to order a psychiatric evaluation of the accused as she was having difficulty taking instructions from him.

The matter has been adjourned to February 14.