Miner Seaford Overmuller was yesterday charged with murdering a man at Ikawana Backdam, Cuyuni River.

Overmuller, 21 of Wakapoa, Pomeroon was not required to plead to the capital charge and acting        Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson remanded him to prison. It is alleged that on May 23 at Ikawana Backdam, he murdered Elson Prince.

Police had reported that Prince was lying in a hammock in a mining camp when he was attacked and lashed about the body with a piece of wood by Overmuller. It was reported that the victim and the suspect, who is also a miner, had earlier been drinking, resulting in an argument during which Prince had allegedly assaulted Overmuller.

Overmuller, however, told the court that on the day in question he went to his work ground to check an engine.  On the way, he stopped at a shop where he saw Prince drinking with some friends.  He said that he spent about 25 minutes there and left. Later in the day, he related, he went to a shop to watch a movie and saw Prince again. He said while he usually does not drink alcohol while in the Backdam, he was offered a drink and he only took a shot of vodka with persons at another table. He said he left and later Prince came into a shop where he was sitting.  He alleged that Prince lashed him in his head with a plate, which was shattered on impact.  He alleged that the deceased told him that “I am going to kill you tonight.” “I asked him why he lash me, since we have no problem,” Overmuller said.  He added that at that time there was blood on his face, due to the cuts sustained by the plate.

Further, he alleged that Prince left and returned with two cutlasses but the owner of the shop managed to disarm him.

However, Overmuller stated that Prince allegedly collected a spade to beat him.  He added that he managed to run away from him. Shortly after, he decided to go wash off the blood, but encountered Prince, whom he said was lying in wait for him with a piece of wood. He said that Prince lashed him about the body with a four–inch piece of wood.  He said he fell on the ground and was able to grab a piece of wood and he used it to hit Prince three times. He said after that he left him and went to a nearby shop. While there, he said he heard someone come in and say that “Prince dead.”

Overmuller was remanded and the matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrates’ Court for June 9.