Kenny Ramroop, the man accused of killing and burying Nadia Simms’ in a shallow grave, has expressed concern about his safety and health in prison.
Ramroop, 31, a farmer, raised these issues through his attorney when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Armina Deonarinesingh in the Siparia First Magistrates Court yesterday charged with Simms’ murder.
Ramroop who surrendered to the police one day after Simms went missing was charged with her murder by Sgt Darryl Corie on Monday.
Attorney Charlene Khalloo, who was his duty counsel, said Ramroop was fearful for his safety in prison as he was also a witness in a 2008 capital offence.
She said Ramroop suffered with kidney problems and was on medication for that ailment.
In light of what was happening in the prisons, Khalloo asked that he be afforded proper medical care while incarcerated.
The magistrate endorsed on the remand warrant a note of the two concerns to the Commissioner of Prisons. In terms of ensuring his safety, court prosecutor Sgt Anthony Baptiste said he would make the necessary arrangements while the prisoner was in police custody.
Simms, 25, of Rochard Road, Penal left home on January 28 to meet a man at the Giant Panda Restaurant and Bar along the Penal Rock Road. She told relatives the man had promised to help her get employment at a Water and Sewerage Authority facility in Santa Flora.
She was reported missing to the police the following day.
Two days later, on January 31, hunters stumbled upon a shallow grave in a forested area in Santa Flora in which her decomposing body was found. An autopsy performed could not determine the cause of death because of the advanced stage of decomposition. Further tests were ordered.
The charge, read to him yesterday, alleged that between January 27 and February 2, he murdered Simms at Field Road, St Clyne, Santa Flora.
The magistrate explained to him that he was not entitled to bail and that a state counsel had to be appointed by the Director of Public Prosecutions in the matter. Following that she said a preliminary enquiry would be held to determine whether the prosecution had made out a strong enough case for him to stand trial in the High Court.
Attorney Roopnarine Rambachan, who was hired by Ramroop’s relatives, asked for the family to be allowed to visit the prisoner at the police station as the last time they spoke with him was on Friday.
The prosecutor, however, rejected the request for safety reasons and advised the relatives to visit Ramroop at the prison.
The matter was adjourned to March 7.