PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – THE COUPLE charged with the 2002 murder of millionaire couple Mahase and Darling Rampersad yesterday walked free of the crime.

The Rampersads’ nephew, Krishna Rampersad, and his estranged wife, Donna Bullock, were hugged and kissed by relatives after Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington’s made his decision.

Three years ago, they were arrested and charged with the murders.

It was alleged that on a day unknown between August 3 and 8, 2002, at La Fortune, Woodland, the two murdered Mahase, 64, and his wife Darling Rampersad, 62.

The Rampersads, founders of a successful auto supply business, were abducted at the gates to their Palmiste, San Fernando, home, after celebrating their daughter’s birthday.

Their decomposing bodies were later found in Woodland.

A post-mortem report found they were shot in the back of their heads and their skulls were crushed.

Krishna Rampersad and Bullock were charged with murder by Cpl Terry Tambie.

The enquiry, which proceeded by way of paper committal, began in June 2012.

The statements of witnesses were sworn, filed and tendered into evidence and the defence was given the choice of calling witnesses to be cross examined.

Yesterday, State attorney Chantal Hospedales said the States case was based mainly on circumstantial evidence and agreed there were inconsistences as raised by the defence.

She, however, identified the areas and said that the issues ought to be put before a jury.

But Hosein, Rampersad’s attorney, argued that the State must lead “clean, potent and convincing evidence” while defence attorney Subhas Panday said there was no evidence to support the charge of murder against Bullock.

Wellington said the enquiry had been a long journey and a lot of evidence had been heard. He said he listened to the submission from both prosecution and defence and found that, on the evidence presented, there had not been enough evidence to call upon the two to answer to the charge.

Wellington upheld the no-case submissions made by the defence attorneys.

Bullock and Krishna Rampersad both stared and remained seated following the ruling.

From the public gallery, Bullock’s father thanked Wellington.

The Express learnt that the Director of Public Prosecutions may be seeking a judge’s warrant in the case.

This can be done, in law, when the DPP believes there is enough evidence to take the matter before a judge.

Rampersad and Bullock are the parents of a nine-year-old son and both said they first wanted to see him after leaving the court.

Bullock said she last saw her child three years ago when she was arrested.

Bullock, 30 of Rambert Village said that she could not describe her feelings yesterday. She thanked her family, her attorney and those who helped her cope while she was in prison.

She said her experience in jail was hard and depressing.

Her father, Anthony Bullock, said while people’s comments made him sometimes doubt there would be a positive outcome to the case, he was relieved that his only daughter was freed.

Justice has been done, he said.

Rampersad, 38, of Woodland, said: The truth always prevails.

He said that he had nothing whatsoever to do with his relatives murder.

It was proven, he said.

He said he met several people in prison who have also been wrongfully accused.

The Express tried contacting Mukesh Rampersad, the son of Mahase and Darling Rampersad, but the secretary at his business place said he was unavailable to make a comment as he was with customers.

The secretary said that Mukesh’s wife, Savitri, did not want to comment on the matter.

By Nikita Braxton-Benjamin

nikita.braxton@trinidadexpress.com