Two more men were yesterday remanded when they appeared in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with harbouring wanted man Rondell ‘Fineman’ Rawlins and members of his gang and robbery under arms.
They are to answer to charges of “accessory after the fact of murder” today.
It is alleged that between April 22 and June 2 at Christmas Falls, Upper Berbice River, Omali Rogers, 30, of 83 Woodpecker Lane, Amelia’s Ward, Linden knowingly harboured ‘Fineman’ and members of his gang whose photographs have been publicly displayed or published by the police as wanted persons in the offence of murder at Lusignan and other places.
Royston Waldron, 36, of Friendship, East Bank Demerara was also slapped with the charge of harbouring ‘Fineman’ and members of his gang at Goat Farm. Both men pleaded not guilty to the harbouring charges when they were read to them by Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle.
However the magistrate adjourned two separate charges of “accessory after the fact of murder” for today so that the prosecution can seek advice on the charges.
Attorney-at-law Glen Hanoman, representing both men, challenged the particulars of the charges saying that no section of the law was quoted in them. Hanoman said that to his knowledge the matter was already taken to the DPP and she had advised that the charges were to be instituted as they are.
Hanoman, who said that he filed a habeas corpus writ on behalf of Rogers, told the court that his client was arrested since June 1 and was released on $50,000 station bail but was rearrested 15 minutes after. On June 9 he was released on his own recognizance and ordered to make regular checks at the CID Headquarters and he complied. On June 18 he was once again arrested and these charges were instituted.
Meanwhile, over at Court Five Waldron was remanded by Magistrate Hazel Octive–Hamilton when he appeared before her on four charges of robbery under arms. Waldron is the number one defendant in three of the matters and number two in the other. The other named defendant is Rondell ‘Fineman’ Rawlins. It is alleged that on June 16 at UNAMCO Road, Upper Berbice River, Waldron while armed with a gun robbed Tyrone Halley of one Toyoto Hiace minibus, BGG 501, and a cell phone; Anita Hunte of one cell phone; Indra Bissoon of two cell phones and Donna Ford of one cell phone.
Hanoman, also representing Waldron in these matters, told the court that the institution of these charges was a “publicity gimmick” intended to appease the public. He said that in the end the matters will amount to nothing due to the “unorthodox” manner in which the police are going about their work.
Hanoman said his client was arrested on June 10 at Linden, miles away from where these alleged acts occurred. He said Waldron was tortured by the police and was in custody for one week so that the injuries he received could subside before he appeared in court.
On Friday last, 32-year-old Sheldon Williams of 74 Seventh Field, Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara was remanded after he was charged with knowingly harbouring Mark Roydon Williams, also known as Roydon Durant or ‘Smallie’ who was also taken before the court on Friday. The 20-year-old of Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara and a 14-year-old boy of Strathspey Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara were jointly charged with the murders of the Lusignan 11. Williams was also charged with the murder of another man.
It is alleged that on January 26 at Lusignan, ECD the two accused murdered 48-year-old Clarence Thomas, his 12-year-old daughter Vanessa Thomas and his son Ron Thomas; 32-year-old Mohandai Gourdat and her two sons: four-year-old Seegobind Harrilall and ten-year-old Seegopaul Harrilall; 22-year-old Shazam Mohamed; 55-year-old Shaleem Baksh; Seecharran Rooplall, 56, his wife Dhanrajie Ramsingh, 52, and their 11-year-old daughter Raywattie Ramsingh. Further, it is alleged that on August 30, 2007 Williams murdered Kumar ‘Mango man’ Singh.
Williams was captured at his cousin’s house in Sophia on Sunday. He has also been charged with the murder of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal Ivor Williams. Gunmen in Buxton shot and killed the soldier on January 23 when they engaged the soldiers on the Railway Embankment Road between Church of God and Company roads. The GDF vehicle had been returning to Camp Ayanganna from an administrative run in Berbice.
The Lusignan murders came three days after the attack on the ranks and mere hours after gunmen in a car had shot at Police Head-quarters in Eve Leary.
Just over three weeks after the Lusignan killings, gunmen struck at Bartica though security had been heightened countrywide. On February 17, at about 9.40 pm, some 20 gunmen attacked Bartica killing 12 persons including three policemen during an hour-long strafing.
To date miners Clebert Reece, 30, and 44-year-old Roger Simon, a father of nine, have been charged with those murders. In addition to Williams and the boy, James Anthony Hyles has been charged with the Lusignan murders.
Rogers and Waldron have to return to court today.
