-absent army witnesses force discharge

Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry has discharged a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldier who was accused of bludgeoning a fellow officer to death for playing music loudly, after army witnesses failed to turn up to testify.

Lerone Garcia, 26, of 669 East Ruimveldt, has been accused of murdering Gordon Sayers, 53, at Timehri, East Bank Demerara, on October 20, 2007. Garcia allegedly killed Sayers by hitting him over the head with a piece of iron.

Garcia’s lawyer, Ronald Burch-Smith, confirmed to Stabroek News that the charge against his client was discharged. Stabroek News understands the charge was dismissed on March 27 because of want of prosecution as none of the army witnesses turned up to testify at the Providence Magistrate’s Court.

Sayers was among a group of soldiers heading to Tacama, an army base on the Berbice River. Their vehicle, however, broke down and they were forced to stay at Camp Stephenson, Timehri. During that time, Sayers reportedly played music loudly and was hit with a piece of iron, resulting in his death. He was later found dead lying on the floor.