THE attorney representing a man charged with murdering a 19-year-old butcher 12 years ago yesterday described the killing as atrocious and monstrous.

But Margaret Rose said yesterday while she empathises with the family of Narvin Nandlal, she urged the 12-member jury in the First Assize Court in San Fernando not to be swayed by emotion.

’We are in a situation in Trinidad and Tobago where crime is rampant,’ Rose said.

’It would be a dereliction of your duty in this case for you to think of the crime situation in this country and say to yourself that you have to do your part to put away a murderer.

’This was an atrocious and monstrous offence, but you must dispassionately decide the outcome of this case based on the evidence presented by the State.’

On trial for murdering Nandlal on December 12, 1997 is 30-year-old Jason Ellis John. Evidence on behalf of the State was led by attorney Jennifer Martin.

Nandlal, of Rousillac, suffered a 25-centimetre chop wound to the right side of his forehead which fractured his skull and facial bones, a nine-centimetre chop to the edge of his left nostril, a 12 -centimetre chop over the back of his head and a 12-centimetre chop across the lower portion of his neck.

Rose told the jurors there was evidence during the trial that another man, Mark Teeluck, was convicted of murdering Nandlal.

’This case depends solely on this alleged confession. Nothing else. I would be the first to admit that a confession is enough to convict if you believe that it was given and if it was true.’

Rose said the investigators of the killing jumped to conclusions based on the information given to them by Nandlal’s uncle, Armanath Moonilal.

Moonilal testified last week that he and Nandlal were buying cattle, sheep and goats in the Penal/Santa Flora area when they were approached by a man who told them he had two bulls to sell.

The court heard from Moonilal that he requested identification before he made the purchase, and the man handed him a ’pink slip’ (identification registration slip) which bore the name Mark Teeluck and his proper name and address.

It is alleged that Moonilal and Nandlal were directed to an area on the Oilfield Road, Palo Seco, where Teeluck told them the bulls were tied.

Nandlal allegedly followed Teeluck into some bushes while Moonilal remained in the van he was driving.

It was at that time, it is alleged, Teeluck and Nandlal were joined by John who, it is alleged, assisted Teeluck in robbing Nandlal of $200 before hacking him to death.

Nandlal’s bloody body was discovered lying face down by Moonilal and a party of police officers from the Santa Flora Police Station.

A verdict is expected to be delivered today following the summation by Justice Herbert Volney.