Schenectady mother pleads guilty to hindering prosecution

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

The mother accused of hindering the prosecution of two of her children on murder charges pleaded guilty to a felony Tuesday.

Omawattie D. Parbhudial, 45, of 935 Maple Ave., pleaded guilty in Schenectady County Court Tuesday to one count of first-degree hindering prosecution.

In exchange for her plea, Parbhudial is to either pay a $5,000 fine or serve one year in jail.

If she comes up with the fine by her June 6 sentencing, no jail time would be ordered. There is also no probation involved.

Parbhudial was accused of hindering the prosecution of four people in the February 2010 killing of Ganesh Ramgoolam on Maple Avenue.

Her son and daughter were charged in the killing, along with a nephew. A second son was charged with attempting to kill a police officer.

Prosecutor Philip Mueller said that the mother was apparently attempting to protect her children doesn’t mitigate her crime.

But Mueller also noted that Parbhudial had no criminal history and she doesn’t appear to pose a threat to the community.

Mueller also said probation was considered in making the offer, but it was felt that she would not have benefited from probation supervision and that probation resources would be better used elsewhere.

As it stands, she must pay the fine before sentencing or face one year of jail time. Schenectady County Court Judge Karen Drago made it clear at the morning’s proceedings that no adjournment of sentencing would be granted to allow for more time to come up with the fine.

Parbhudial’s attorney Fred Rench conferred with his client and told the court that she would be able to pay the fine by then.

Afterward, Rench commended Mueller for his restraint in prosecuting his client. Rench believed her value to the prosecution was more as leverage against those charged in the murder.

The plea offer for Parbhudial came after those accused in the murder all took their own plea deals, Rench noted.

He called the resolution a fair one. He said his client used poor judgment when talking to police about the aftermath of the killing.

He also noted that his client was never accused of knowing about the killing before, or taking part in the planning.

“This was a mother who felt the powerful urge to protect her children,” Rench said, “and I think that led her to use some bad judgment. She’s never been charged with any crime before. This is a one-time incident, as far as I’m concerned.”

Those who were accused in the Ramgoolam killing all face sentencing Friday.

To be sentenced are Parbhudial’s son, Vishan A. Parbhudial, her daughter Angelene P. Parbhudial and nephew Dhanashar Persaud.

Angelene Parbhudial’s boyfriend, Richard Baliraj, is also to be sentenced.

Persaud is to get 18 years to life in state prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.

The other three pleaded guilty to gang assault and are to get sentences ranging from 5 to 10 years in state prison.